Sanders: Trump veto not guaranteed
The Vermont senator argued that the President might sign a single-payer healthcare bill following Democratic midterm wins.
By Tessa Cooper ·
Senator Bernie Sanders said on Thursday that he is not certain President Donald Trump will veto a Medicare-for-all bill. The independent lawmaker made the comments during an interview on Thursday, challenging the likelihood of the President rejecting such legislation.
Sanders argued that the bill could pass because more than 60 percent of Americans support the concept. He noted that support is even higher within the Democratic Party, estimating it at between 80 and 90 percent. The senator framed the issue as a fundamental human right that the government must address.
Host Chris Hayes of MS NOW interrupted to question the odds of the bill becoming law. Hayes pointed out that polling has shown increased support for the proposal. He cited the recent race involving Abdul El-Sayed, noting that the candidate was not attacked for his stance on Medicare. Hayes argued that the chances of Trump signing the bill are small because it would require passage in both the Senate and the House.
Sanders pushed back against Hayes, stating that the President has the constitutional right to veto. However, the senator said the Democratic Party has the right to pass the legislation to show voters they are tired of the current system. Sanders described Trump as a good politician who is not stupid. He suggested that the President might sign the bill to avoid losing political capital to a broken system.
The comments came after Democrats won control of both the House and the Senate in Tuesday’s midterms. This victory gives the party the majority needed to advance the healthcare bill. Sanders stated that if Trump vetoes the bill and Republicans sustain that veto, it becomes their responsibility to explain the decision to the public.
Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist and author, told Fox News Digital that Sanders has given similar speeches for decades. Alpert said Sanders knows how to tap into public frustration. He noted that calling healthcare a human right does not automatically make Medicare-for-all the solution. Alpert observed that Sanders complimented Trump by calling him a skilled politician who reads the public well.
Alpert described the strategy as a form of psychological maneuvering. He said Sanders is appealing to Trump’s ego by dangling the possibility of a political victory. The White House was reached for comment on the remarks but had not responded as of Thursday.
