Sen. Sanders Blasts Sen. Sinema as “Corporate Democrat”

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) was critical Sunday of Sen. Kyrsten Sinema‘s (I-AZ) announcement she would be leaving the Democratic Party and registering as an independent.

Sanders said he doesn’t believe his fellow independent senator has “the guts to take on powerful special interests” when speaking with Dana Bash on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday.

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“She is a corporate Democrat, who has, in fact, along with Sen. [Joe] Manchin, has sabotaged enormously important legislation,” Sanders said.

Sanders was insistent on his frustration with Sinema’s role in blocking certain aspects of Biden’s “Build Back Better” agenda but did not say whether he would support a Democratic candidate running against Sinema if she runs for reelection in 2024.

‘I support progressive candidates all over this country, people who have the guts to take on powerful special interests. I don’t know what’s going to be happening in Arizona. We’ll see who they nominate,” Sanders said.

Sinema made the announcement on Friday, days after the Democrats secured an outright Senate majority when Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) won reelection in the runoff.

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Progressive Democrats have been vocal in criticizing Sinema’s move, with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) saying she was “grateful this race and nomination has opened up.”

Democratic leadership has been receptive to Sinema, who has said she will not caucus with Republicans. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said she is a “good and effective senator” and that he is “looking forward to a productive session in the new Democratic majority Senate.”