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Article snippet: Sens. MORE (D-Calif.) are not responding warmly to overtures from the White House and congressional Republicans on a possible criminal justice reform deal, a sign that 2020 presidential politics could prove a hurdle to legislation. As outspoken advocates of criminal justice reform and the only two African-American members of the Senate Democratic Conference, Booker and Harris say they are not eager to strike a deal with MORE that they view as a watered-down version of one reached with Senate Republicans. Both Democrats, who are considered top-tier contenders to become their party's nominee going up against Trump in 2020, insist they will review any measure that the president might endorse. But striking a deal on criminal justice reform that proves unpopular with the party’s base could prove costly. GOP negotiators predict that the pair will likely come out against a deal, while Republicans say Senate Democratic Whip MORE (Ill.) has been more active in bipartisan talks and is seen as more receptive to a compromise. “We haven’t heard from Cory yet about taking meetings. He’s been more in the obstruction category,” said a Republican negotiator. “Durbin’s actually been working with us. Booker and Harris, they have shown no interest in engaging even though there’s a possibility here to help a lot of people.” A second Republican negotiator confirmed that account. “I’m kind of getting the feeling that Durbin is realistic enough to know that things get done here in smal... Link to the full article to read more