Press Releases

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 – In the midst of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, millions of American seniors have seen a decline in their standard of living and are struggling to survive.  Unemployment among older workers doubled since 2007 while household incomes fell and medical costs rose, according to a report released today at a Senate hearing chaired by Sen. Bernie Sanders

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said the Commodity Futures Trading Commission should adopt a rule with real teeth to limit oil speculators, not a watered-down measure set for a vote on Tuesday. The commission is slated to consider a rule that Sanders said “will do little or nothing” to limit traders who artificially drive up gasoline and home heating oil prices. “At a

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 – Three key senators today questioned the U.S. State Department about its dealings with a Canadian company seeking U.S. approval to build a crude oil pipeline from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. The State Department is responsible for deciding whether to approve the billion-dollar Keystone XL pipeline project. TransCanada, the company trying to build the pipeline, reportedly was permitted to screen private

THURSDAY, Oct. 13 – Vermont’s Congressional Delegation – Senator Patrick Leahy (D), Senator Bernie Sanders (I) and Representative Peter Welch (D) – Thursday announced a $7.4 million federal loan for electric power grid improvements, including new “smart meter” components, in Washington, Orange and Caledonia  Counties.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Electric Program loan to Washington Electric Cooperative of East Montpelier will fund construction of

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) chaired a hearing today on how utilities can help customers use savings on their monthly power bills to finance energy-efficiency improvements at homes and small businesses. “It is a simple and straightforward concept, and it presents a huge opportunity to cut energy bills, create jobs, and slash greenhouse gas emissions and other pollution,” Sanders said at the outset

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today announced two grants totaling $165,555 for the Green Mountain Farm Direct and the Northeast Organic Farming Association to expand access to locally-produced food for Vermont seniors, low-income families and others. “These worthwhile projects will increase Vermonters’ access to fresh, healthy, locally-produced foods,” Sanders said. Green Mountain Farm Direct in Newport, Vt., is slated to receive $97,029 to build