Senator Bernie Sanders took a strong stance during the recent U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions meeting, advocating for legislation aimed at expanding Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and promoting worker ownership. He highlighted the pressing issue of income and wealth inequality in America, stating, "We live in a moment in American history where we have more income and wealth inequality than we've ever had."

Sanders emphasized the need for workers to have a voice in their economic futures, pointing out that many feel powerless as companies make decisions that directly affect their livelihoods. He argued that empowering workers through ownership is a crucial step towards addressing these inequalities. "How do you empower workers? How do you create a climate where workers themselves are involved in the decision-making process?" he asked, underscoring the importance of not treating workers as mere "cogs in a machine."

The senator expressed his support for the current legislation, describing it as a "modest step forward." He also proposed a more comprehensive plan to provide workers and small business owners with the necessary resources and information to transition to ESOPs. Sanders noted that many small business owners would prefer to pass their businesses on to their employees if they had access to tax breaks and guidance.

In conclusion, Sanders called for federal financial support to facilitate this transition, stating, "We're not doing that today. And I hope we will do that in the near future." His remarks set a clear agenda for the committee's discussions, focusing on the empowerment of workers and the need for systemic change in ownership structures.