Sen. Cory Booker: Qualified immunity needs to be changed

Sen. Cory Booker (R-N.J.) on Sunday said lawmakers are “making meaningful progress” in police reform negotiations, adding that he remains focused on eliminating qualified immunity.

Democratic Sen. Cory Booker says qualified immunity needs to be changed "at some point" when discussing police reform negotiations and adds that it's a point that's getting pushback from the other side. "We're working very hard to see if we can bridge this wide gulf." #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/prqCXSCDsf

— State of the Union (@CNNSotu) May 23, 2021

Rep. Payne, Jr. Skips State of the Union address

Congressman Donald M. Payne Jr. (NJ 10th District) released the following statement regarding his decision not to attend President Trump’s State of the Union address tonight.

“I refuse to support a President who has spent his entire term promoting his interests ahead of the public good,” said Congressman Payne, Jr. “Traditionally, the State of the Union address has been a time for the President of the United States to be accountable to the people for the job he is doing. But the Republican Senate has proven that President Trump is not accountable to the people and that his actions to solicit election interference from Ukraine do not constitute a serious violation of public trust. This is not what the Founding Fathers had in mind when they wrote the Constitution and created American democracy. So I will not attend the State of the Union to protest the president’s actions as well as support my House colleagues who voted to impeach the president and hold him accountable. I go to a State of the Union address to hear the President. I do not go to hear a self-appointed King.”

Rep. Maxine Waters not attending 2020 State of the Union speech

Rep. Maxine Waters (CA 43rd District) has released a statement via Twitter stating that she will not be attending the 2020 State of the Union speech:

To think that I would attend the #SOTU to hear the message of an IMPEACHED president is a thought that in no way would be consistent w/ my fight and struggle against this dishonorable president. I will certainly NOT be there!

Cory Booker defends Joe Biden against Ukrainian accusations

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), a 2020 White House hopeful, said on Sunday that's he’s “offended” that Republicans are shifting attention to fellow Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden as President Trump faces an impeachment inquiry.

“Joe Biden is a statesman. He is truly an honorable man,” Booker said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

“I will be standing firmly in defense of Joe Biden throughout this process because this can in no way besmirch his character, his honor and his incredible service to this country over decades,” Booker added.

“I am offended by the Republicans trying to shift the attention in this, in what is Trump’s scandal. This is a Trump scandal and potential violation of office,” Booker said on Sunday. "It should in no way effect the vice president in pursuit of the nomination.”

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

Kamala Harris: Prebuttle to Trump State of the Union address

Kamala Harris released a 'prebuttle' ahead of Trump's State of the Union speech via Twitter. Watch her statement below:

No matter what we hear tonight, remember this: The strength of our union has never been found in the walls we build. It’s in our diversity and our unity – and that is our power. pic.twitter.com/f1ytQq0o0T

— Kamala Harris (@SenKamalaHarris) February 6, 2019

Stacey Abrams to give Dem. response of the State of the Union

Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said Stacey Abrams, who was narrowly defeated in the 2018 gubernatorial race in Georgia, will give the Democratic response to President Trump's State of the Union address.

The Democratic response will give Abrams a major platform to counter the President following his address to Congress and the nation — and the speech is sure to further elevate her national profile.

"Her electrifying message of courage, perseverance and hope reinvigorated our nation and our politics, and continues to inspire millions of Americans in every part of the country," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement. "Stacey Abrams embodies the American Dream, and her powerful message of progress for all is deeply needed during this time for our country."

"Stacey Abrams offers a welcome, stark contrast to President (Donald) Trump's politics of division and lack of leadership as American families are still feeling the impacts of his self-imposed shutdown," Schumer said in a statement. "Stacey Abrams is a present and future leader in this country. She is a dynamic, moral leader; she delivered results on the issues that matter most to Americans; and she tirelessly pursues fairness and justice for everyone in her state."

Via Twitter Stacey Abrams released the following statement:

At a moment when our nation needs to hear from leaders who can unite for a common purpose, I am honored to be delivering the Democratic State of the Union response.