Press Releases

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) this evening forced a first-of-its-kind Senate floor vote on a resolution under Section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act. An overlooked tool of Congressional oversight, Section 502B(c) allows Congress to direct the State Department to provide a human rights report and other information on any country receiving U.S. security assistance. Sanders’ resolution

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 – The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, chaired by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), will hold a hearing Thursday, January 18 at 10:00 a.m. ET titled, “Addressing Long COVID: Advancing Research and Improving Patient Care.” “The impacts of this pandemic are still being felt by millions of families,” said Sanders. “We cannot turn our backs

Congress has not voted to request a human rights report under 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act since its enactment into law in 1976  After more than 100 days of war, more than 23,000 Gazans have been killed, more than 85% of the population in Gaza has been displaced, 50% of Gaza risks starvation, and more than 130 hostages have

The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, requires that any security assistance or arms provided by the United States to any country must advance internationally-recognized human rights and avoid identification of the United States with any violations of those rights. The Act prohibits assistance to any government that engages in a consistent pattern of human rights violations. The Act

BURLINGTON, Vt., Jan. 12 – Following a push from the Vermont Congressional Delegation, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is increasing pay for federal employees in Vermont who support Vermonters through their work at places like the White River Junction VA Medical Center. The locality pay increase applies to federal employees in Addison, Lamoille, and Washington Counties in Vermont

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Wednesday spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate about the horrific humanitarian disaster in Gaza and what Congress should do about it. He also announced his intention to bring his 502B(c) resolution – that would require the State Department to provide any credible information on potential human rights violations in