Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) condemned Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s (I-AZ) decision to leave the Democratic Party and register as an independent on Sunday.
The Washington Examiner writes, as he spoke with CNN’s Dana Bash on Sunday’s State of the Union, Sanders said his fellow independent senator doesn’t have the “guts” to fight powerful special interests.
Asked whether he would support a Democratic candidate running against Sinema in 2024 if she runs for reelection, Sanders repeatedly expressed frustration with Sinema’s role in blocking a number of aspects of Biden’s “Build Back Better” agenda.
As noted by The Hill, in contrast to the current 50-50 power-sharing agreement, Sinema will keep her committee assignments through the Democratic caucus, which will allow the party to keep a large amount of its newly gained power.
Democrats now have to decide whether they will nominate a candidate for Arizona’s upcoming Senate race in 2024 as a result of her decision.
Reelection plans for Sinema have not yet been announced.
Bernie Sanders had a right to be angry with Sinema’s decision, but his response was inappropriate and out of line. Sinema is one of the few politicians who is not afraid to go against the grain and stand up for what she believes in. Sinema has been willing to work with people on both sides of the aisle, refusing to get drawn into party politics, and people like Bernie Sanders should take note of that. Sinema deserves respect and admiration for following the ethical advice she stands by – even from Bernie Sanders.
