U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) speaking at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Michael Brochstein/Sipa USA)
(Washington D.C.) – There was a dramatic scene on the Senate floor this past Tuesday featuring some infighting among Democratic lawmakers. Senator Corey Booker said Democrats need a wake-up call, as many are questioning the future of the party. It began with a callout from another Democrat in the chamber, let’s take a look at what exactly happened and what people are saying now.
The tiff began with debate over bills to help provide mental health resources for police officers in the wake of the deadly Manhattan shooting. Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto tried to pass seven bills that had bipartisan backing through unanimous consent. Booker objected to five out of seven bills, arguing the Trump administration was “weaponizing” federal funds routed to blue states like New Jersey.
One of his fellow Democrats, Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, called out Booker for not doing more on behalf of law enforcement officers across the country. This triggered a dramatic rebuttal from Booker who said his Democratic colleagues are being complicit with the White House’s agenda.
Listen to part of Booker’s rant on the Senate floor:
The whole ordeal seems to be for naught as Booker eventually did not go on to oppose the two police bills in question and the legislation ended up passing by unanimous consent. Political experts are really pointing to the larger theme of discord within the Democratic party. Senate Democrats in particular have been facing a lot of backlash after the Minority Leader Chuck Schumer voted in line with a GOP spending bill to avoid a government shutdown.
Credit: Mattie Neretin / CNP/Sipa USA
Critics of Corey Booker did not waste any time dismissing the rant as the typical theatrics they have come to expect from the Garden State Senator. Fox News and WABC host Brian Kilmeade says Booker only knows how to put on a show. Some users online have compared Booker to fictional politicians featured in Shonda Rhimes shows. Booker previously made headlines back in April where he broke a record for the longest ever solo address on the Senate floor, speaking for 25 hours.
WABC host Greg Kelly was not too impressed with Booker’s speech back in April:
Booker is also on the shortlist of candidates expected to throw their hats into the ring to be the 2028 Democratic presidential nominee.
