WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) released the following statement Wednesday after he was named chair of outreach for Senate Democrats and ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee:

“Real change doesn’t take place on Capitol Hill. It takes place in grassroots America. It takes place when millions of working people, young people and senior citizens come together to demand that our government works for all of us and not just the 1 percent. When the people lead, the leaders follow. 

“Serving as ranking member of the Budget Committee is a heavy responsibility. It helps shape the priorities of the United States government, and I am going to do everything I can to make sure the budget that leaves the United States Congress is a budget that represents the needs of working families and a shrinking middle class, not billionaires.”