Bernie Sanders' plans would cost $18 trillion
If Bernie Sanders wins the presidency, the U.S. would spend more — a whole lot more. The Wall Street Journal tallied the costs of all of the Vermont senator's proposed projects, and totaled Sanders' tab at a whopping $18 trillion. That cash would go toward what The Wall Street Journal says would be "the largest peacetime expansion of government in modern American history," including an estimated $15 trillion government-run health care program that would ensure coverage for every American, an emphasis on rebuilding infrastructure, the expansion of Social Security, and free tuition at public colleges across the country.
Sanders plans to raise the money for these projects through tax increases, which his staff say could bring in as much as $6.5 trillion in a 10-year period. But while Sanders is confident he could find the cash, conservative and liberal jaws alike are dropping over how much Sanders plans to spend. Democrats think that it might be "politically infeasible" for Sanders' spending proposals to become a reality.
Feasible or not, Sanders defends the spending as going to "essential government services at a time of increasing strain on the middle class," The Wall Street Journal says. "Sen. Sanders' agenda does cost money,” his policy director Warren Gunnels told The Wall Street Journal. “If you look at the problems that are out there, it’s very reasonable.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Read the full rundown on Sanders' spending plans at The Wall Street Journal.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - April 27, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - natural gas, fundraising with Ted Cruz, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Aid to Ukraine: too little, too late?
Talking Point House of Representatives finally 'met the moment' but some say it came too late
By The Week UK Published
-
5 generously funny cartoons on the $60 billion foreign aid package
Cartoons Artists take on Republican opposition, aid to Ukraine, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published