· person

Ro Khanna on Bernie Sanders

Close progressive ally (strong)

TL;DR

Ro Khanna is a close progressive ally of Bernie Sanders, frequently co-sponsoring significant legislation like the wealth tax.

Key Points

  • He served as a co-chair for Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign.

  • In March 2026, he and Sanders introduced the "Make Billionaires Pay Their Fair Share Act" to impose a 5% annual wealth tax on billionaires.

  • The wealth tax legislation they unveiled in March 2026 would fund one-time payments of $3,000 for individuals in households earning $150,000 or less.

Summary

Ro Khanna is a firm political ally of Bernie Sanders, evidenced by his repeated partnership in introducing major progressive legislation. Most recently, he co-introduced the "Make Billionaires Pay Their Fair Share Act" alongside the Senator, which aims to impose a 5% annual wealth tax on the nation's billionaires to fund social programs. Khanna previously served as a co-chair for Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign, underscoring their long-standing ideological alignment and shared policy goals. He is listed as a Fellow of The Sanders Institute, further cementing this close relationship within progressive political circles.

This legislative collaboration extends beyond wealth taxation, as the two have worked together on other bills aimed at helping working families. For instance, their joint proposal seeks to provide significant direct payments to lower- and middle-income households using the projected revenue from the proposed tax. The shared effort to address economic inequality through proposals like the wealth tax suggests a unified front on fundamental economic issues, positioning Khanna as a key proponent of the Sanders agenda in the House of Representatives.

Key Quotes

Khanna, who has so far not ruled out a 2028 bid, has said that he backs the bill, but has also pushed for provisions in the bill that would allow startup founders “whose stock is locked or where their company is not profitable to defer any tax until a liquidity event with no interest accrual and for adjustment on the tax due based on the valuation at liquidity (in case it drops)”.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ro Khanna holds a strongly positive and allied position toward Bernie Sanders, considering him a political partner. He actively collaborates on major policy initiatives, such as wealth tax legislation. Khanna's alignment is long-standing, having served as a co-chair for Sanders' presidential campaign.

There is no indication that Ro Khanna's stance toward Bernie Sanders has changed; it remains consistently positive and aligned. He continues to co-lead legislative efforts with the Senator on progressive priorities. This continuity suggests a stable political relationship rooted in shared ideology.

Ro Khanna joined Bernie Sanders in officially introducing the "Make Billionaires Pay Their Fair Share Act" in March 2026. He stated that the tax is necessary because of the deep economic divide, where Silicon Valley generates extreme wealth while families struggle. Khanna expressed pride in leading the effort to tax billionaires modestly to ensure a fair chance for everyone.

Sources4

* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.