David Shepardson & Nandita Borse

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – U.S. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders blasted Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ) and its chairman during a hearing about the company’s labor practices. He urged the White House not to renew government contracts with the retailer.

Sanders declared that Amazon has “done everything legal and illegal” to defeat the union organizing efforts. He then addressed Amazon Chairman Jeff Bezos. Bezos had been invited to speak but did not attend.

How much wealth can you afford? You are doing all you can to prevent Amazon workers from being able to form unions so they can get better wages and working conditions. Sanders asked. Sanders asked.

Amazon didn’t immediately reply to our request for comment.

This committee will hear testimony from Christian Smalls (head of the Amazon Labor Union).

Sanders’ call for the White House not to award federal contracts to Amazon and other companies that have been accused of unfair labor practices was supported by Smalls.

We cannot permit Amazon, or any other employer, to accept these funds.

taxpayer money if they engage in illegal union-busting behavior and deny workers’ rights,” Smalls said in written testimony. These employers cannot be granted federal contracts. They cannot be eligible for taxpayer subsidies from the state or local governments.

Top Republican Senator Lindsey Graham criticized Sanders’s choice to focus on Amazon. It is a way to use the United States Senate to your advantage. This can be very dangerous. It doesn’t matter how many oversight hearings you have, Amazon will still be a bad company. Graham said that it was your political bias.

Sean O’Brien (General President of Teamsters) and Greg LeRoy (executive Director, Good Jobs First), are other witnesses.

U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris, will be hosting a White House meeting to Smalls and other labor leaders who want to advocate for Amazon workers later in the day. Starbucks Corp (NASDAQ: ) and other employers

Sanders called on President Joe Biden last week to cancel federal contracts for Amazon. He said that Amazon had “become the poster child of illegal anti-union behaviour while taking in billions in federal contract revenue.”

New York City workers at Amazon Warehouse voted recently to create the first union at America’s second-largest private employer. They also joined the Amazon Labor Union led by Smalls. Smalls is a former worker who has advocated for better pay and more job security.