WATCH: Bernie Sanders’ Blunt, Three-Word Answer to Colbert Asking If He’ll Miss Kyrsten Sinema

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) appeared on CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to promote his new book, but host Stephen Colbert wanted to ask about some late-breaking news coming out of the United States Senate.

The news that Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) would not be seeking reelection broke right before the show’s rehearsals. Before their discussion about Sanders’ book, It’s OK to Be Angry About Capitalism, Colbert asked for his thoughts on Sinema’s decision:

Colbert: Now, just a little while ago, shortly before our rehearsal today, Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema announced that she will not be seeking reelection this fall.

[AUDIENCE CHEERS]

Obviously, a lot of people are going to miss her. Are you? How much are you going to miss her?

Sanders: Not at all.

After that blunt response, Sanders went on to explain why:

Way back when — I know it seems like a century ago — but in the midst of Covid three years ago, working with the president, we passed the American Rescue Plan, which went a long way to take us out of the terrible economic downspin that we were in and help us address the pandemic. What we understood is that bill, which was really consequential, was an emergency bill, right? Economic downturn, Covid.

What we said, “All right. Let’s deal with the structural crises facing America — the housing crisis, the childcare crisis, the healthcare crisis. We can do better for working people.” We work with the president for something we called Build Back Better. We had zero Republican support. We had 48 people in the Democratic caucus prepared to transform this country on behalf of the working class of America. Two people, Sinema being one, [Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV)] the other, refused to support us. We couldn’t pass it. So no, I will not miss Senator Sinema.

Watch the video above via The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on YouTube.