Advertisement

Sen. Bernie Sanders On Repairing Vermont And Obama's Jobs Plan

07:31
Download Audio
Resume
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP)
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP)

A bill that would have meant $7 billion in emergency funding for FEMA was blocked Monday night in the Senate.

Republicans say they'll need to cut spending first and then they'll pass the FEMA bill. States like Vermont are seeking FEMA money to repair roads and bridges that were wiped out when Tropical Storm Irene hit their states.

Sen. Bernie Sanders told Here & Now's Robin Young that it's not right to cut things like education and nutrition programs in order to send money to states after a disaster like Irene.

Jobs

While a new poll shows the majority of Americans don't think President Obama's $447 billion jobs plan will bring down the unemployment rate, Sanders says the government needs to invest in infrastructure to create jobs and keep America on an even footing with other countries.

Social Security

Sanders also proposes changing the way Social Security is funded so that wealthier Americans pay more.

Guest:

  • Senator Bernie Sanders, (I-Vt.)

This segment aired on September 14, 2011.

Advertisement

More from Here & Now

Listen Live
Close