A controversy has erupted following a vote on an amendment passed in the United States Senate that took place on January 11th. The controversy focuses on one particular Senator. Cory Booker, a Democratic Senator from the state of New Jersey, is speculated to be a likely candidate for the 2020 U.S. presidential race.
Controversy following Booker's vote on importing prescription drugs
Cory Booker, the junior United States Senator for the state of New Jersey, has created a large amount of controversy following a vote of "No" on an amendment that would have allowed pharmaceutical drugs to be imported into the the United States from Canada.
The amendment, sponsored by US Senators Bernie Sanders and Amy Klobuchar, both members of the Democratic Party, would have allowed consumers to purchase cheaper prescription drugs that were imported from the country of Canada.
Booker was among several Democratic Senators who voted against the amendment, which lost with a vote of 46 Senators for, and 52 Senators against. The vote was not split among party lines, with thirteen Democrats including Senator Booker voting against the amendment, and ten Republicans voting for the amendment, including prominent Republican Senators and former presidential candidates Rand Paul (R-KY) and Ted Cruz (R-TX).
Booker is criticised for his vote, and other actions in the past
Booker has been subject to a large amount of criticism for his vote against this amendment by members of the Democratic party and various liberal and left-leaning media pundits. When asked for comment, Booker and his office stated the Senator voted "No" due to a concern over a lack of safety regulations for the drugs in question.
However, Booker's critics claim the drugs from Canada are manufactured in the same factories as their American counterparts.
There is a long history of criticism of Senator Booker's history as an elected official from left-leaning media and members of the Democratic Party. Booker was previously criticised for comments he made regarding the 2012 presidential election where he attacked President Barack Obama's statements on Bain Capital.
Booker has also been criticised for serving on the board of the Alliance for School Choice with Betsy Devos, who is President-elect Donald Trump's choice for Secretary of Education. In recent days, many in the Democratic Party have praised Booker's testimony against President-elect Trump's Attorney General nominee, Jeff Sessions. Booker is seen as a prominent contender for the Democratic nomination for the 2020 presidential election.
