Senators Paul and Booker celebrate Festivus with sentencing and drug war reform tweeting

As highlighted in this article, “Sen. Rand Paul’s (R-Ky.) ‘airing of grievances’ on Twitter Monday morning actually led to an important side discussion between him and Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) about drug policy — one that could preview a renewed push on reforms next year.” Here is more:

It started when Paul, during his homage to “Seinfeld,” joked that one of his grievances was with the Twitter-savvy Booker: “One more Festivus grievance about bipartisanship. @CoryBooker doesn’t RT me enough.”

Booker responded, in kind: “U, me & ‘feats of strength:’ Senate floor, name the time MT”

Then things got a little more serious: “@CoryBooker how about mandatory minimum sentencing reform instead?”

And then Booker threw in a caveat of his own: “Yes, If u throw in reforming Fed Hemp & Marijuana laws u’ve got a deal! RT”

Paul reminded him of his stance on reforming marijuana laws: “@CoryBooker I am the Senate author of Hemp bill!”

Booker ended it by declaring an end to the “War on Drugs” in 2014: “I know. U told me last week. Here is to a 2014 where we take on the failed war on drugs RT”

I am pleased that the two Senators who have talked the most about federal sentencing reform have extended the discussion to the Twitterverse. But, as I have said before and will keep saying again, reform talk is cheap and only meaningful if and when advocates can turn this talk into action.

Some recent and older related posts:

• Federal sentencing reform: an unlikely Senatorial love story and a Booker double-dose?
• Is it too early want the new Senator from NJ to get going on sentencing reform?
• “NAACP, right-wing foes get friendly” when it comes to prison costs
• “Conservatives latch onto prison reform”
• Rand Paul begins forceful pitch in campaign against federal mandatory minimums
• Senators Durbin and Lee come together to introduce “Smarter Sentencing Act”
• Does Senator Ted Cruz agree with GOP Senators Mike Lee and Rand Paul about the need for federal sentencing reform?
• Could significant federal criminal justice reforms become more likely if the GOP wins Senate in 2014?
• “The most interesting part of [Rand Paul’s] speech was his widely anticipated defense of drug law reform.” 
• “Prison-Sentence Reform: A bill to give judges flexibility to impose shorter sentences deserves conservatives’ support.”
• Another notable GOP member of Congress advocating for federal sentencing reform