Story highlights Sanders has been advocating for an increase in benefits

Obama earlier this week spoke not just of strengthening Social Security but expanding it

(CNN) Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders' campaign is pointing to President Barack Obama's remarks this week about increasing the amount of money seniors get through Social Security as evidence of the impact the avowed democratic socialist is having on policy debates.

The Sanders campaign quickly jumped on the President's remarks, sending out a news report about the statement to the reporters who cover the campaign.

"I applaud President Obama for making it clear that it is time to expand Social Security benefits," Sanders said in a statement. "Millions of seniors, disabled veterans and people with disabilities are falling further and further behind on $10,000 or $11,000 a year Social Security," he added.

Sanders has long been advocating for an increase in benefits, a position that Hillary Clinton adopted earlier this year when she tweeted to Sanders, "I won't cut Social Security. As always, I'll defend it and expand it."

While campaigning in 2008, then-Sen. Obama often spoke about the need to strengthen and stabilize Social Security by raising the amount of income that is taxed, thereby providing more money for the program. He later agreed to a GOP-backed proposal to reduce benefits by changing how they are calculated as part of efforts to reach a so-called "grand bargain" on the budget. He abandoned that plan after failing to reach such a deal with congressional Republicans.

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