Senate Democrats openly sparred on Tuesday in the upper chamber over police bills, as the wrangling intensified when New Jersey Senator Cory Booker called out his colleagues for being “complicit” to the Trump administration.
Newsweek reached out to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s office for comment via email.
Why It Matters
The Democratic Party has been in disarray since its November presidential election loss, searching for a central message to stand behind and potential leaders to emerge as midterm election campaigns begin ramping up. Republicans currently control the House of Representatives and the Senate.
What To Know
Booker, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto of Nevada were at the center of the feud on Tuesday after Cortez-Masto asked for consent for the passage of the policing bills.
Booker said he disagreed with the legislation moving forward unless there were assurances that the money would not be denied in Democratic states like Connecticut, New Jersey or New York.
“This, to me, is the problem with Democrats in America right now,” Booker said. “Is we’re willing to be complicit to Donald Trump to let this pass through, when we have all the leverage right now there is.”
“Don’t be complicit to the president of the United States, who we both know doesn’t understand that language, oh please, oh please, don’t hurt blue states,” he added.
According to The New York Times, Booker yelled so loudly during the confrontation that his voice was heard outside of the Senate chamber.
Klobuchar called out Booker for missing a Senate committee hearing where the bills were discussed, saying in part, “I can’t help it if someone couldn’t change their schedule to be there. I think these hearings should mean something,” the Times reported.
“Don’t question my integrity,” Booker yelled. “Don’t question my motives. I’m standing for Jersey, I’m standing for my police officers, I’m standing for the Constitution and I’m standing for what’s right. And dear God, if you want to come at me that way, you’re going to have to take it up with me. Because there’s too much on the line right now in America.”
Cortez-Masto also took a swipe at Booker, saying in part, “I’m not sure the answer here is to stop bipartisan legislation that gives tools to law enforcement across the community to keep our communities safe.”
After the public back-and-forth, Booker took to X, formerly Twitter, saying, “Democrats need to fight. I’m standing for Jersey.”
What People Are Saying
X account amuse on Tuesday: “CIVIL WAR: The Democrats are melting down in realtime. Senator Cory Booker goes NUCLEAR on Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto.”
Conservative podcaster Benny Johnson posted to X on Tuesday: “Yikes. Cory Booker is screeching at Democrats, Universities, CBS and everything under the sun for not pushing harder against President Trump: ‘Complicity with an authoritarian leader. It’s time for Democrats to have a backbone and draw lines.'”
Cortez-Masto posted to X on Tuesday after the bill passed: “Even though Police Chief Herbert D. Proffitt was murdered for his work keeping his community safe, his family was denied survivors benefits because he was retired. Thanks to a bipartisan bill I passed today, his family and others like them are one step closer to the support they deserve.”
The Nevada lawmaker continued: “Supporting our law enforcement officers isn’t about party politics, it’s about standing with the brave men and women who keep us safe every day. I’m proud to have worked across the aisle with @SenMcConnell to get this done for our officers.”
What Happens Next
Democrats are expected to continue working out divisions on key party platforms as campaigns gear up.
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