The Vermont lawmaker made the remarks to CNN's Jake Tapper on Sunday during an appearance on State of the Union, in which he also admitted that he'd be willing to join the Biden-Harris administration.
While speaking about implementing President-elect Joe Biden's progressive policies, Sanders recalled how their two teams met before the election to determine key issues. 'The truth is that when you talk about raising the minimum wage to 15 bucks an hour, when you're talking about expanding health care to all people as a human right, when you talk about effectively taking on climate change, when you talk about making public colleges and universities tuition free, these are not far-left ideas.
'These are common sense ideas that the majority of the American people support.'
'We're going to fight to make sure that they are implemented,' He added.
A September survey by a nonpartisan research and public engagement organization- Public Agenda, found that 72 percent of surveyors supported raising the minimum wage. Broken down, that translated to 62 percent of Republicans, 69 percent of Independents and 87 percent of Democrats.
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An uptick in support appeared to coincide with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. One that has thrown numerous industries into the fray and unemployment reached staggering levels.
A survey distributed in March, pre- lockdown restrictions, reported raising the minimum wage received 66 per cent support overall. Surveyed Republicans tallied in at 48 per cent, Independents at 54 per cent and Democrats at 80 per cent.
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A real life push for $15 minimum wage was seen in Florida, where residents voted to increase pay on Election Day.
Regarding healthcare expansions, a September Pew Research Center survey found that a majority of Americans want a single government program – and not a mix of private and public coverage as is offered now.
On State of the Union, Sanders said the notion that such progressive policies were responsible for a number of 2020 election losses was 'dead wrong.'
One reported point of contention was the divided support for defunding the police among some progressive politicians, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, but Sanders pushed back on its supposed popularity among colleagues.
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Sanders said on State of the Union 'What we talk about is making police officers accountable, making sure that police departments do what they can do best, figuring out how you deal with mental illness, how you deal with homelessness, whether those are, in fact, police responsibilities, making sure the police officers are not killing innocent African-Americans. That does not defund the police.'
After admitting he would accept the Secretary of Labor position if offered by the Biden, Sanders reiterated his stance.
'I talked to the Biden administration,' Sanders said, confirming that he was in contact with the Biden transition team.
'I want to do my best in whatever capacity as a senator or in the administration to protect the working families of this country.'
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