KQED's Forum In New Book, Sen. Cory Booker Urges Americans to Take a 'Stand'
Apr 1, 2026
Cory Booker, U.S. senator and former Newark mayor known for criminal justice reform, discusses his new book Stand. He talks about defending birthright citizenship, curbing billionaire influence in politics, demands for congressional oversight on war, and the need for generational renewal and grassroots civic engagement.
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Birthright Citizenship Is Clear On Historical Record
- Cory Booker views a potential Supreme Court rollback of birthright citizenship as a clear misreading of congressional intent behind the 14th Amendment.
- He cites congressional debates where opponents predicted citizen children from immigrants and says the amendment still passed overwhelmingly.
Big Money Intimidates Elected Officials
- Booker links unchecked political money and billionaire influence to weakened Republican colleagues and democratic dysfunction.
- He recounts GOP lawmakers being threatened with multimillion-dollar primaries that deter independent stances.
Grocery Store Confrontation Sparked 25 Hour Senate Speech
- Booker recounts being confronted in a Newark grocery store which prompted his 25-hour Senate speech as a return to activist leadership.
- The caller reminded him of hunger strikes and neighborhood organizing, which Booker says motivated him to act vulnerably on the Senate floor.
