Former Vice President Joe Biden took aim at Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) over his record on getting legislation passed into law.
In an interview on NBC News’ “Meet The Press” on Sunday, Biden blasted Sanders for failing to pass a Medicare for All plan despite talking about it for decades. Biden also touted his efforts to win the needed votes to pass the Affordable Care Act — or Obamacare.
“He’s never got anything done,” Biden said, adding, “He’s been talking about healthcare, Medicare for all, universal healthcare for all for 35 years. Nothing’s happened. I helped get passed Obamacare. I helped move it forward. I got the votes. I’m in a position where I take something and I’ll promise you I’ll get done.”
Watch the interview below:
Additionally, Biden ripped into plans for Medicare for all proposed by Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)
“Bernie requires, and Elizabeth’s plan requires you to give up all private insurance. These folks have broken their necks, the Culinary Union and others, to get the most comprehensive healthcare that’s out there. And they’ve given up wages. Now they’re being told you gotta give it up. You can’t keep it. And it’s going to cost thirty trillion dollars or more. And I can’t tell you who’s going to pay for it. I mean come on. I think people are so tired of the lack of straight forwardness out there.”
Biden’s comments come just days before the Nevada caucuses, which take place Feb. 22., where the influential Culinary Union recently warned its members that Sanders’ Medicare for all plan would cost them their existing healthcare plans. However, the union has said it will not endorse a candidate ahead of the primary.
After Sanders came in a close second in the Iowa caucuses and eeked out a victory in Nevada, several prominent Democrats have begun speaking out about Sanders, warning that he could be damaging to the Democratic Party’s electoral prospects across the board.