Bernie Sanders's Success and Achievements in Timeline
A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Bernie Sanders.
Bernard "Bernie" Sanders is a prominent American politician and activist currently serving as the senior U.S. Senator from Vermont. Notably, he holds the record for the longest tenure as an independent in U.S. Congressional history. While maintaining his independent status, Sanders has consistently aligned with the Democratic Party, caucusing with them in both the House and Senate throughout much of his career. He twice sought the Democratic presidential nomination, in 2016 and 2020, and is considered a leading figure in the modern American progressive movement due to his promotion of policies addressing economic inequality and social justice.
January 1962: Protest against segregated housing at University of Chicago
In January 1962, Sanders participated in a rally and sit-in at the University of Chicago to protest the university's segregated campus housing policy.
1963: University of Chicago ends housing segregation
In the summer of 1963, following protests, the University of Chicago ended racial segregation in private university housing.
1981: Campaign against waterfront development
In 1981, Sanders campaigned against plans to convert the Burlington waterfront into expensive condominiums, hotels, and offices, supporting a plan for a mixed-use district.
1981: Elected Mayor of Burlington
In 1981, Sanders ran as an independent for mayor of Burlington, Vermont, and defeated the Democratic incumbent.
1988: Ranked as one of America's best mayors
In 1988, U.S. News & World Report ranked Bernie Sanders one of America's best mayors.
1990: Election to U.S. House of Representatives
In 1990, Sanders was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Vermont's at-large congressional district.
1991: Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives
In 1991, Bernie Sanders was elected as an independent to the U.S. House of Representatives, marking the first time since 1952 that an independent was elected.
October 24, 1992: Cancer Registries Amendment Act signed into law
On October 24, 1992, the Cancer Registries Amendment Act was signed into law by President George H. W. Bush.
2005: "Amendment King"
In 2005, Rolling Stone called Bernie Sanders the "amendment king" for his ability to get more roll call amendments passed than any other congressman since 1995.
December 2009: Added provision to Affordable Care Act
In December 2009, Bernie Sanders successfully added a provision to the Affordable Care Act to fund $11 billion to community health centers.
2009: Support for Same-Sex Marriage in Vermont
In 2009, Sanders supported legalizing same-sex marriage in Vermont.
August 2011: Third-most popular U.S. senator
In August 2011, a poll found that Sanders's approval rating was 67%, making him then the third-most popular U.S. senator.
2012: Reelected to the Senate
In 2012, Bernie Sanders was reelected to the Senate with 71% of the vote.
2013: Burlington as one of the most livable cities
As of 2013, Burlington was regarded as one of the most livable cities in the United States.
2014: Ranked third in The Forward 50
In 2014, Sanders ranked third in The Forward 50.
November 2015: Most popular U.S. senator
In a November 2015 poll, Sanders reached an 83% approval rating among his constituents, making him the most popular U.S. senator.
December 4, 2015: Won Time's Person of the Year readers' poll
On December 4, 2015, Sanders won Time's 2015 Person of the Year readers' poll.
March 20, 2016: Received Honorary Lushootseed Name
On March 20, 2016, Sanders was given an honorary Lushootseed name, dxʷshudičup, in Seattle to honor his focus on Native American issues during his presidential campaign.
2016: Ranked first in The Forward 50
In 2016, Sanders ranked first in The Forward 50.
March 2017: Highest net favorability of any prominent politician
In March 2017, Fox News found Sanders to have the highest net favorability at +28 points of any prominent politician included in its poll.
April 2017: Highest favorability rating among political figures
In April 2017, a nationwide poll found that Sanders had the highest favorability rating among all the political figures included in the poll.
May 30, 2017: Received honorary degree from Brooklyn College
On May 30, 2017, Sanders received an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Brooklyn College.
2018: Reelected to the Senate
In 2018, Bernie Sanders was reelected to the Senate with 67% of the vote.
April 6, 2019: Sanders participates in Fox News town hall
On April 6, 2019, Sanders participated in a Fox News town hall that attracted more than 2.55 million viewers, surpassing the ratings of other Democratic candidates' town halls that year.
December 2019: Declared healthy after heart attack
In December 2019, Sanders released letters from physicians declaring him healthy and recovered from his recent heart condition.
February 2020: Sanders polls in first place in Democratic primary
From mid-February 2020 to the start of March, Sanders polled in first place in the Democratic primary ahead of Joe Biden and was described by the press as the party's presidential front-runner.
March 11, 2021: Passage of the American Rescue Plan Act
Sanders strongly supported Senate Democrats' decision to use budget reconciliation to pass the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The bill passed the Senate by a 50–49 vote and was signed into law by Biden on March 11, 2021.
2024: Re-election to U.S. Senate
In 2024, Sanders was reelected to the U.S. Senate.
