Cory Booker in National Public Radio

On Corporations: Don't condemn high tech business; regulate them

On high tech regulation: "Why do we need to universally condemn entire sectors of our society, as opposed to creating regulations and rules that make sure that they are affirming what's in the best interest of our country?" Booker supports more regulation on privacy and security issues. He said too few companies control too much of the industry to expect them to self-regulate, and he criticized practices like contracting low-wage jobs, instead of providing corporate benefits to those workers. Source: NPR Morning Edition, "Election 2020: Opening Arguments" Mar 7, 2019

On Crime: Legalize marijuana; restore ex-con voting rights

Criminal justice reform is one of Booker's key policy areas in his presidential policy platform. He was a key force behind the FIRST STEP Act, which President Trump signed into law. Booker will soon introduce what he calls the Next Step Act, a package of further criminal justice changes. It includes provisions that would legalize marijuana at the federal level, eliminate the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine, and give felons [who have served their time] the right to vote. Source: NPR Morning Edition, "Election 2020: Opening Arguments" Mar 7, 2019

On Crime: Ended "three strike penalty"; more reform is needed

He was a key force behind the FIRST STEP Act. Among other things, that law ends the "three strike penalty," helps judges avoid mandatory minimum sentences, and gives prisoners more access to rehabilitation programs. Booker will introduce the Next Step Act, a package of further criminal justice changes. It includes provisions that would legalize marijuana at the federal level, eliminate the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine, and give [ex-]felons the right to vote. Source: NPR Morning Edition: Election 2020 Special Series Mar 7, 2019

On Health Care: Reduce Medicare eligibility to 55 from current age of 65

On Medicare: "We were one vote shy from bringing down Medicare eligibility to 55. One vote shy. I'm going to fight for that one vote when I'm running in 2020, because what would that have done?" Booker is one among several 2020 presidential candidates backing Bernie Sanders' Medicare-for-all bill. However, he stressed in this interview that he has also backed other, less-sweeping health care proposals, like reducing the Medicare eligibility age to 55, from the current age of 65. Source: NPR Morning Edition, "Election 2020: Opening Arguments" Mar 7, 2019

The above quotations are from NPR Morning Edition survey of 2020 candidates. Click here for main summary page. Click here for a profile of Cory Booker. Click here for Cory Booker on all issues.
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Page last updated: Sep 08, 2019