Latest news with #BernieSanders
Reuters
12 hours ago
- Health
- Reuters
US Senate Democrats to investigate Kennedy's firing of vaccine expert panel
WASHINGTON, July 29 (Reuters) - Democrats on the U.S. Senate's health committee launched an investigation on Tuesday into Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s firing of all members of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention panel of vaccine experts. Kennedy last month fired the 17 members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which reviews vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration before making recommendations to the CDC on their use. Kennedy replaced them with hand-picked advisers including anti-vaccine activists. "The harm your actions will cause is significant. As your new ACIP makes recommendations based on pseudoscience, fewer and fewer Americans will have access to fewer and fewer vaccines," Democrats on the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee wrote to Kennedy in a letter reviewed by Reuters. A spokesperson for Senator Bernie Sanders said committee Democrats launched the investigation after Senator Bill Cassidy, the committee's Republican chairman, denied his call for a bipartisan investigation. Cassidy's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Democrats requested Kennedy provide information on the firings by August 12, including details of the alleged conflict of interest for each fired member and note how they differ from ones they previously disclosed. Kennedy said at the time that he fired the committee because it was rife with conflicts, but provided no specific evidence of conflicts among any departing members. They requested that Kennedy outline everyone involved in the firing decision within and out of government, asking about the role played by specific individuals, including Lyn Redwood, the former leader of an anti-vaccine group founded by Kennedy. Redwood led a presentation at the newly constituted ACIP's first meeting. The Democratic senators asked who approved the meeting agenda and who selected Redwood as presenter. They asked for all communications and documents on the appointment of the new members, including selection criteria, the vetting process, and proof they complied with government ethics requirements. "As you give a platform to conspiracy theorists, and even promote their theories yourself, Americans will continue to lose confidence in whatever vaccines are still available," the senators wrote. Kennedy said the firings were to restore public confidence in vaccines. "Millions more lives are at risk from vaccine-preventable diseases if you continue to undermine vaccine access through ACIP," said the letter, which in addition to Sanders was signed by Senators Tim Kaine, Maggie Hassan, John Hickenlooper, Ed Markey, Andy Kim, Lisa Blunt Rochester and Angela Alsobrooks.
Wall Street Journal
2 days ago
- Health
- Wall Street Journal
Vinay Prasad Is a Bernie Sanders Acolyte in MAHA Drag
Meet Vinay Prasad, a young disciple of Bernie Sanders who ranks as one of the most powerful officials in the federal government. He determines whether patients get access to many life-saving medicines. Or not. Think of him as a one-man death panel. Dr. Prasad was named by Marty Makary, the Food and Drug Administration commissioner, as head of the agency's biologics division in May, and last month as its chief medical and scientific officer. More on why he was tapped to these posts later. But it isn't an exaggeration to say that Dr. Prasad wields more power than Anthony Fauci ever did at the National Institutes of Health.
Fox News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Corey DeAngelis slams Randi Weingarten over 'big, beautiful bill' freak out: 'She needs to stay in her lane'
American Culture Project senior fellow Corey DeAngelis weighs in on Randi Weingarten's criticism of the 'big, beautiful bill,' the Trump administration eyeing education cuts and Sen. Bernie Sanders' remarks on the education system.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Bernie Sanders educational qualification: How this political science graduate rose from Brooklyn to US Senate stardom
How Bernie Sanders' political science degree shaped his rise to US Senate prominence. (Getty Images) Bernie Sanders, a significant figure in American politics and the longest-serving independent member in U.S. congressional history, has built his career on a foundation of education and activism. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Sanders' early life experiences and academic background influenced his commitment to social justice and progressive policies, which continue to shape his political agenda. Sanders is widely known for his recent endorsement of Zohran Mamdani for New York City Mayor in 2025, as well as his continued advocacy for initiatives such as tuition-free college. His educational journey, marked by a shift from Brooklyn College to the University of Chicago, played a critical role in forming his political beliefs and activism. Early life and high school years in Brooklyn Bernie Sanders was born on September 8, 1941, into a financially constrained household in Brooklyn. His upbringing exposed him to the realities of income inequality, which later became a central theme in his political career. Sanders attended James Madison High School, an institution that counts notable figures like Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Chuck Schumer among its alumni. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Up to 70% off | Libas Purple Days Sale Libas Undo During high school, Sanders was active in student activities, including running track and campaigning for class president on a platform aimed at raising scholarship funds for Korean War orphans. Although he did not win the election, his early activism was evident. Transition to higher education and political awakening In 1959, Sanders began his college education at Brooklyn College, where he spent a year. Following the death of his mother, he transferred to the University of Chicago in 1960. This move marked a significant turning point in his life, both academically and politically. Initially majoring in English, Sanders soon switched to political science. His studies included influential thinkers such as Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, Eugene Debs, and Leon Trotsky. He described his time at Chicago as a 'major period of intellectual ferment' and preferred community activism over traditional academics, which he found unengaging. Student activism and civil rights involvement At the University of Chicago, Sanders was deeply involved in the civil rights movement. He served as chairman of the university's chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and took part in sit-ins that led to reforms in housing policies. Additionally, Sanders joined organisations such as the Young People's Socialist League and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. He participated in the historic 1963 March on Washington, experiences that helped shape his worldview beyond formal education. He graduated in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. A career grounded in education and social equity Sanders' educational background and early activism laid the groundwork for his lifelong dedication to social equity. His push for tuition-free public colleges, as exemplified by his College for All Act, reflects his belief that higher education should be accessible to all. This principle continues to influence his political work, including his endorsements and legislative efforts. From his beginnings in Brooklyn through his studies and activism in Chicago to his rise as a U.S. Senator, Bernie Sanders' career path illustrates the impact of education combined with social commitment. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The Rich And Profitable Corporations Get Tax Cuts But 22 Million Families Lose Nutrition Support, Says Bernie Sanders, Calls It 'Disgusting'
Millions of low-income American families are set to lose critical food assistance under a new law signed recently by President Donald Trump, as wealthy individuals and major corporations receive fresh tax breaks. The sweeping policy overhaul, part of what Republicans dubbed 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act,' is facing backlash for what critics say are cruel tradeoffs. Small-Town Grocers And Families Brace For Impact The cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, are projected to affect 22.3 million households, with an average loss of $146 per month in benefits, according to research by the Urban Institute. The law also imposes stricter work requirements and new eligibility rules that could disqualify many people, including veterans, older adults and working parents—if they fail to meet documentation or hour Miss: 7,000+ investors have joined Timeplast's mission to eliminate microplastics—now it's your turn to $100k+ in investable assets? – no cost, no obligation. 'The richest Americans who are doing phenomenally well? Rewarded with tax breaks,' Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) wrote on X recently. 'The largest corporations enjoying record-breaking profits? Tax breaks. American families in need? Trump and Congressional Republicans cut nutrition support to 22.3 million of them. Disgusting.' Critics argue that the policy disproportionately hurts low-income communities, especially in rural areas that often supported Trump in the last presidential election. In many small towns, SNAP recipients make up the majority of customers for independent grocery stores, which now fear closure or layoffs. 'I lean pretty heavily right most of the time,' Spence Udall, the mayor of conservative St. Johns, Arizona, which has just one grocery store, told Politico. 'But one of the things that I do lean to the left on is we're a pretty wealthy country, we can help people out.' Trending: This AI-Powered Trading Platform Has 5,000+ Users, 27 Pending Patents, and a $43.97M Valuation — Grocers like RF Buche, who operates the only store on South Dakota's Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, say the impact could be devastating. 'I'd just as soon cut a leg off than have my customers out in the poorest county of the United States go without food,' Buche told Politico. He estimates that 60% to 80% of his shoppers rely on SNAP, which makes up nearly half his revenue. A study by the Commonwealth Fund warns that the SNAP cuts will trigger thousands of job losses across agriculture, grocery retail and food processing sectors. That ripple effect could be especially harsh in rural areas, where small stores double as community hubs and economic anchors. As the legislation rolls out, grocery store owners, food bank operators, and families across the U.S. are bracing for a sharp decline in food access. As Sanders put it: 'This bill wipes out nutrition assistance for millions of hungry kids at a time when we have the highest rate of childhood poverty of nearly any major nation on earth.' Read Next: Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die." How do billionaires pay less in income tax than you?.UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article The Rich And Profitable Corporations Get Tax Cuts But 22 Million Families Lose Nutrition Support, Says Bernie Sanders, Calls It 'Disgusting' originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
