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.
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 - March 30, 2025
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - strawberry fields forever, secret files, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 hilariously sparse cartoons about further DOGE cuts
Cartoons Artists take on free audits, report cards, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Following the Tea Horse Road in China
The Week Recommends This network of roads and trails served as vital trading routes
By The Week UK Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
Supreme Court upholds 'ghost gun' restrictions
Speed Read Ghost guns can be regulated like other firearms
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump sets 25% tariffs on auto imports
Speed Read The White House says the move will increase domestic manufacturing. But the steep import taxes could also harm the US auto industry.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump allies urge White House to admit chat blunder
Speed Read Even pro-Trump figures are criticizing The White House's handling of the Signal scandal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Waltz takes blame for texts amid calls for Hegseth ouster
Speed Read Democrats are calling for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and national security adviser Michael Waltz to step down
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Judge: Nazis treated better than Trump deportees
speed read U.S. District Judge James Boasberg reaffirmed his order barring President Donald Trump from deporting alleged Venezuelan gang members
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US officials share war plans with journalist in group chat
Speed Read Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg was accidentally added to a Signal conversation about striking Yemen
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Canada's Mark Carney calls snap election
speed read Voters will go to the polls on April 28 to pick a new government
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published