When U.S. Sen. Cory Booker addressed a group of New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Cornerstone members in Trenton on July 25, he touched on issues ranging from fiscal policy in Congress, the Middle East, the Affordable Care Act and America's standing in an increasingly competitive world.
In the midst of his remarks, though, New Jersey's junior senator paused for a moment to point out where the nation's economy falls in all of this: A vital factor "for the security of our government is growing our economy," he said. "It's not the size of our army, but the size of our economy."
Still, Booker said the biggest surprise in his first eight months in Congress has been "how we as a nation can make so many irresponsible balance-sheet decisions." He expressed frustration that members of Congress could not distinguish between investments that would provide a good return and those that would not.
The parties in Congress have struggled to agree on bills that would direct funds into infrastructure and into research and development - the kind of sound investments proven to bolsters the nation's economy, he said. Further, he added, "I can't believe that we are debating things like preserving the Export-Import Bank of the United States and the Terrorist Risk Insurance (Program)."
Booker said the U.S has fallen behind other nations in areas like infrastructure; research and development; and college graduation rates - areas that he feels need to be top priorities.
The senator, who assumed office in Oct. 31, 2013, said he also supports corporate tax reform and common sense drug laws. "There are more non-violent drug offenders in the prison population today than there were in the whole prison population in 1974," Booker said.
For photos from the event, click on an image below:
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