Cortez Masto and Booker Clash on U.S. Policing Bills

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A heated exchange broke out on the U.S. Senate floor this week between Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, highlighting internal Democratic tensions over policing legislation and cooperation with the Trump administration.

The disagreement arose when Cortez Masto attempted to fast-track a package of bipartisan policing reforms. Booker opposed the effort, arguing that advancing the bills could unintentionally support former President Donald Trump’s agenda. He expressed concern that the administration was using public safety funding to penalize states that opposed federal directives.

Cortez Masto defended her push for the legislation, stating that “two wrongs don’t make a right” and emphasised her long-standing opposition to Trump. She also pointed to her duty to respond to the needs of Nevada residents.

“We can’t just throw up our hands and say we can’t govern,” she said. “That’s when people lose faith. They want to see we’re still trying to improve things.”

The Nevada senator called for party unity and warned that internal divisions could weaken the Democratic Party’s standing in competitive states. She stressed the importance of addressing everyday concerns like public safety and rising costs.

Commenting on the Biden-Harris re-election effort, Cortez Masto acknowledged that while progress has been made, more must be done to connect with voters. “You can’t just say ‘we did a lot,’ you have to show what’s still left to do,” she remarked.

Looking ahead to the 2026 Senate elections, she highlighted potential candidates such as former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and Representative Chris Pappas of New Hampshire, while urging greater focus on states like Texas and Michigan.

When asked about Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Cortez Masto expressed strong support and praised his leadership during the recent budget negotiations. “He did the right thing. We need to pass budgets and do our jobs. That’s what people expect,” she said.

The exchange underscores deeper questions within the Democratic Party over legislative strategy and how best to position itself ahead of future elections.