Cory Booker in Interviews during 2018-2020
On Gun Control:
14-part gun control plan, with criminal enforcement
Booker was asked on CNN about his gun control proposals: "Rep. Eric Swalwell has also, like you, proposed an assault weapons ban. He's proposing a buyback program where Americans could essentially sell these guns to the government, but if they don't,
within a certain period of time, they would be prosecuted--thrown in jail, perhaps. Are you supportive of the same?"Booker responded affirmatively that the law would be enforced with criminal sanctions after a "reasonable period." He had said earlier:
"The critical thing is that these weapons of war should not be on our streets." Earlier in the day, Booker unveiled a 14-part gun control plan, which included a ban on assault weapons including high capacity magazines. "The biggest thing in the proposal
is a national gun licensing program, which would force Americans to apply for 5-year gun licenses before obtaining a firearm. The process would include fingerprinting, an interview, gun safety courses, and a federal background check," Booker said.
Source: Washington Examiner on 2020 Democratic primary
May 6, 2019
On Families & Children:
Government funded savings account at birth
Booker has proposed some innovative solutions to generational poverty. His American Opportunity Accounts Act would give every child a savings account with $1,000, with the government making subsequent annual payments up to $2,000 a year depending on
family income until the child is 18. At that point, the recipient could use the money for "allowable" expenses like college or buying a home. Booker has also introduced a plan to expand eligibility and refund amounts for the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Source: Mother Jones magazine on 2020 Democratic primary
Apr 23, 2019
On Civil Rights:
Supports commission investigating reparations for slavery
At Al Sharpton's National Action Network convention in New York City, most of the 2020 contenders affirmed their support for a bill that would create a commission to study reparations for African-Americans.
Booker added a note of caution in his speech, telling the crowd that the conversation around reparations "cannot become just a political box-checking exercise."
Source: CNBC: 2019 National Action Network & 2020 Democratic primary
Apr 5, 2019
On Education:
Government should not profit from student debt
He argued that free college tuition is the wrong answer to an emerging workforce that needs more skills training.
He would make sure that existing federal student loans are refinanced so the government is no longer making money off college graduates' debt.
Source: The Atlantic, "Under the Radar," on 2020 Democratic primary
Apr 4, 2019
On Education:
Investment in education helps the whole society
The only thing I do want to take issue with is this idea of redistribution. I don't really think it is. When you make an investment in a kid's education,
it expands the economy. When you make an investment in every child having wealth, you actually expand the whole. It has a multiplier effect.
Source: The Atlantic, "Under the Radar," on 2020 Democratic primary
Apr 4, 2019
On Tax Reform:
Helped people claim earned-income tax credit
But then he talked about how to flex the earned-income tax credit, and the centers he set up in Newark when he was mayor to help poor people file their returns to claim it. He spoke about paid family leave, and how
American law should be at least as good as the policies in Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Source: The Atlantic, "Under the Radar," on 2020 Democratic primary
Apr 4, 2019
On Crime:
Rich-and-guilty treated better than poor-and-innocent
Sen. Cory Booker slammed the 47-month prison sentence for former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Booker, who introduced the landmark First Step Act last year to implement a series of prison reforms, said he was "ticked off" about what he
said was a light sentence for Manafort, but that he was not surprised: "We have a criminal justice system that treats you better if you're rich and guilty than if you're poor and innocent. We prey upon the most vulnerable citizens in our nation.
Poor folks, mentally ill folks, addicted folks and, overwhelmingly, black and brown folks."A federal judge sentenced Manafort to nearly four years in prison on eight charges of bank and tax fraud, but his sentence will
be cut to three years and two months after he was given credit for time served. Federal sentencing guidelines suggested Manafort be sentenced to 19 1/2 to 24 years.
Source: Tal Axelrod in The Hill on 2020 Democratic primary
Mar 8, 2019
On Civil Rights:
Recognize Native Americans but no Indigenous Peoples' Day
Sen. Kamala Harris said that she would push for the federal government to rename Columbus Day "Indigenous Peoples' Day," a focal point for some progressives who say the holiday should emphasize the history of Native Americans instead of the
European conqueror. "Sign me up," Harris said in response to a voter's question of whether she would support the initiative to rename the holiday. She spoke of her own efforts in the Senate to make lynching a federal crime.
Harris's competitor, Sen. Cory Booker, was asked the same question in New Hampshire Sunday, but did not commit to renaming the holiday. "I'd like to talk more about why you think it's important on a federal level,"
Booker told voters. "My commitment to you and indigenous peoples is to tell the truth, to work to address the issues, and to find a way to have real recognition and healing."
Source: Buzzfeed blog on 2020 Democratic primary hopefuls
Feb 18, 2019
Page last updated: Dec 01, 2021