Sanders says ‘a lot more work has to be done’ on ‘human infrastructure’

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Sunday called President Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure plan a “serious proposal,” but signaled that “a lot more work has to be done” in what he is calling “human infrastructure.”

When pressed by host Jake Tapper on CNN’s “State of the Union” if initiatives that are not traditionally considered infrastructure should be included in the bill, including plans to address student debt, Sanders said it “depends on what you call infrastructure,” adding that there is a “crisis in human infrastructure.”

“Roads and bridges and tunnels are infrastructure. But I think many of us see a crisis in human infrastructure, when a working class family can’t find good quality affordable child care, that’s human infrastructure,” Sanders said.

Sanders went on to name his priorities including Medicare, dental care, hearing aids and eyeglasses.

“I think now is the time to begin addressing our physical infrastructure and our human infrastructure, I want to see that happen as soon as possible,” Sanders added.

Sanders also said that Congress is probably going to want to put more money into climate initiatives, and he signaled that more work has to be done in terms of health care.

When pressed by Tapper if all Democratic senators will support Biden’s proposal, Sanders said that while there are differences in opinion in the caucus, he thinks the bill will pass with full Democratic support.

“If your question is do I think we’re going to come together to do it, yes I do.”

Biden last Wednesday unveiled his $2 trillion infrastructure proposal, branded “The American Jobs Plan,” which aims to target transportation infrastructure, modern infrastructure like broadband and upgrading buildings, investing in the care economy to help health workers, and funding innovation and research and development of future technologies.