The Senate on Friday rejected a House-passed spending bill that would have underfunded relief for natural disasters in Vermont and other states. Sen. Bernie Sanders called the measure "totally inadequate." On Monday, Sanders welcomed President Obama's decision to spare Social Security in a deficit-reduction plan submitted to Congress. On Tuesday, Sanders led a group of senators who faulted Obama for pulling the plug on an EPA air pollution proposal. On Wednesday the senator called on the Federal Reserve to help small businesses create millions of jobs.

Disaster Assistance The Senate vote to table the House disaster bill was 58 to 36. Disaster aid is a top priority for Vermont and other states hit by natural disasters this year. Heavy flooding on Aug. 27 from the remnants of Hurricane Irene caused up to $1 billion in damage in Vermont alone.  Another Senate vote was set for Monday on a better plan to refill the coffers of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other disaster relief agencies. 

Jobs Sanders on Wednesday called on the Federal Reserve to act aggressively to address the jobs crisis in America. A new Fed plan to stimulate growth failed to offer bold measures Sanders said are needed to address a jobs crisis in America. "I want to see the Fed respond to the unemployment crisis with the same urgency that it responded to the crisis on Wall Street." He proposed a $300 billion emergency lending program for small businesses that would create more than 3 million jobs. During the financial crisis, the Fed provided more than $16 trillion in low-interest loans to large financial institutions, foreign central banks, multi-national corporations, and some of the wealthiest people in the world., according to an audit performed pursuant to a Sanders provision in last year's Wall Street reform law. Read more.

Shared Sacrifice President Obama on Monday detailed a 10-year deficit reduction package. It does not cut Social Security. It includes higher taxes on millionaires. It counts on savings from bringing troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan.  "With the wealthiest people in this country becoming wealthier and large corporations enjoying huge profits, it is time that we end tax breaks for the wealthy and large corporations and have them pay their fair share," Sanders said. Read more of the senator's reaction.

Clean Air A group of senators led by Sanders wrote to President Obama on Tuesday to register their strong opposition to his decision to reject a rule that would have significantly reduced emissions of smog-causing pollutants. "We write to express our deep disappointment, which we believe is shared by millions of Americans, regarding your administration's decision to delay a much-needed and scientifically justified update to the nation's smog pollution standard under the Clean Air Act," the letter said. "We also write to encourage you to protect the Clean Air Act going forward, and to build on its successful, 40-year demonstrated record of protecting public health and the environment, driving innovation, and creating jobs." Read the letter.

Gas and Oil Prices Federal commodity regulators have weakened a proposal to limit speculation in oil and gas markets, according to an exclusive report by the Reuters news agency. The changes are a victory for banks and traders who lobbied against more market oversight. Sanders called the watered-down rule "extremely weak."

Poverty in America One in six Americans - more than 15 percent - now live in poverty. The total number of poor Americans is at an all time high. "At a time when poverty is increasing, we cannot turn our backs on the most vulnerable people in the country," Sen. Sanders told Anthony Brooks on Poverty in America Boston. Listen to the interview.