Meet the Senate’s new bromance: Cory Booker and Rand Paul

New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul — two rising stars in the upper chamber and a Democrat and a Republican, respectively — sat down with POLITICO’S Mike Allen at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., as part of the publication’s “Playbook Cocktails” series.

The event, scheduled on short notice, intended to highlight a new crime and drug sentencing reform bill introduced by the two on Tuesday. It also showcased the senators’ working and genial relationship.

The first third of the 40-minute conversation covered the proposed bill, known as the REDEEM Act (Record Expungement Designed to Enhance Employment). The bill seeks to reduce sentencing for non-violent crimes, reform juvenile sentencing and imprisonment, and lift welfare bans to low-level drug offenders.

Booker maintained he could “write a dissertation” on the two senators’ disagreements, while Paul said they probably agree on  just “15 out of 100 issues.” But they both stressed they saw an opportunity to bring forth serious legislation.

“A lot of folks are already starting to say in a growing bipartisan chorus: Enough is enough,” said Booker.

Booker called the REDEEM Act “common sense.”

“We could be saving money and empowering people,” he said. “It’s about getting people back into society.”

From his discussions with Obama, Paul noted the president is “supportive of the project.” He also gave a rare bipartisan nod to Obama, commending him and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder for their use of pardons.

“Frankly, I complimented him on some of the pardons he’s done,” Paul said, granting that it’s unusual for Republicans to compliment the president.

But “[w]hen I can, I try to,” Paul said.

Allen’s conversation with the two senators gradually shifted away from the proposed bill to a range of issues, including immigration.

One highlight included Booker refraining an answer on whether President Obama should be visiting the border this week while in Texas. Paul reaffirmed he is for immigration reform.

The latter portion of the conversation turned away from policy-oriented discussion. Rather, it delved into the two senators’ use of social media, thoughts on Millennial voters, and their career goals. The lighter subjects also saw both senators take jabs at each other.

As Booker explained his approval of companies such as Uber and Lyft, Paul joked he sounded like one of his own.

“Maybe you could become a Republican. You said ‘free market,’ ” Paul joked.

When Paul talked about his early struggles with Snapchat, Booker couldn’t resist.

“Was it Snapchat or Tinder?” he asked.

Before leaving the stage, Booker asked Paul to take a selfie together.

Bromance confirmed.