Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill, June 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
Sanders emphasized that "in recent years, working together, we have made important progress in addressing some very serious challenges. But much, much more needs to be done if we are to become the state and the nation our people deserve."
The senator, who has long worked to push the Democratic Party to the left, pushed for trillions in spending during the first two years of President Biden's administration, as the nation rebounded from the coronavirus pandemic. But his efforts to pass legislation expanding Medicare and weakening the filibuster were unsuccessful.
But Sanders has also worked to seek compromise with more moderate members of the Democratic conference and at times with the GOP minority.
While a Biden ally, Sanders has been a vocal critic of the White House and Democrats in recent months over their push to provide aid to Israel as it battles Hamas in the war in Gaza.
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Sanders acknowledged that "Israel had the absolute right to defend itself from this terrorist attack," as he pointed to the bloody October attack by Hamas that left of 1,200 Israelis dead.
"But it did not and does not have the right to go to war against the entire Palestinian people," he added, as he pointed to the Israeli war in Gaza that has reportedly left over 34,000 Palestinians dead. "U.S. tax dollars should not be going to the extremist Netanyahu government to continue its devastating war against the Palestinian people."
Sanders, a former Socialist mayor of Burlington, Vermont's largest city, later served in the House of Representatives before winning election to the Senate in 2006.
He was narrowly edged by Hillary Clinton in a marathon and divisive 2016 Democratic presidential primary battle, and was the last candidate standing against Biden in the race for the 2020 nomination.
Sen. Bernie Sanders has been critical of the Biden administration's support for Israel's war against Hamas. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
With Sanders running for re-election, Vermont's seat is not considered in play and he's expected to easily win another term.
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Republican Gerald Malloy, who lost the 2022 election in Vermont, is running again.
Framing his re-election effort, Sanders highlighted what's at stake.
"There are very difficult times for our country and in world. And, in many ways, this 2024 election is the most consequential election in our lifetimes. Will the United States continue to even function as a democracy, or will we move to an authoritarian form of government?" the senator asked.
Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/progressive-champion-and-two-time-presidential-candidate-sen-bernie-sanders-announces-re-election-bid