Senator Cory Booker took to the Senate floor on Monday night, delivering a marathon speech in protest of the Trump administration’s policies. The New Jersey Democrat began at 7 p.m. EDT, pledging to speak “for as long as I am physically able.” By 10 a.m. Tuesday, he remained standing with glasses perched on his nose and papers in hand, taking breaks to yield to questions from fellow Democrats.
As his speech unfolded, over 32,000 viewers tuned into his live stream. “I’ve been hearing from people all over my state and indeed all over the nation urging Congress to act on urgent issues,” Booker stated in a video released prior to his address. “We all have a responsibility to create what [late Representative] John Lewis described as ‘good trouble,’ and I’m ready to do just that.”
Throughout the night, Booker targeted President Trump, asserting that the administration’s actions demonstrate a “complete disregard for the rule of law, the Constitution, and the needs of the American people.” He covered a wide range of pressing topics, from healthcare and immigration to the economy and foreign policy, citing letters from affected constituents and comments from global leaders.
“In just 71 days, the president has inflicted harm on Americans’ safety and the foundations of our democracy,” Booker declared in his opening remarks. He emphasized that these are not ordinary times in the nation and should not be treated as such in the Senate.
As of Tuesday morning, neither Trump nor Musk had publicly responded to Booker’s speech, which comes amid tension within the Democratic party following a funding bill’s passage supported by nine Democrats and Republicans, leaving constituents frustrated with perceived inaction against Trump’s agenda.
Understanding the Filibuster
Long speeches aimed at delaying legislation, known as filibusters, are a tradition in the Senate. However, Booker’s address is not a filibuster since it does not target a specific bill or nominee. According to Senate rules, a Senator recognized by the presiding officer is allowed to speak indefinitely, provided they remain standing and speak continuously.
Sen. Chris Murphy commented on Booker’s creative approach, noting that he had a Senate page remove his chair to avoid the temptation to sit. Booker also allowed colleagues to ask questions, which is permitted while still maintaining the floor.
With well over 12 hours clocked in his speech, Booker is demonstrating an impressive commitment. However, it’s not the longest in recent Senate history; Murphy led a 15-hour effort for gun control following the Orlando shooting, while Sen. Ted Cruz famously spoke for 21 hours against Obamacare in 2013. The longest filibuster on record was by Sen. Strom Thurmond in 1957, lasting over 24 hours in opposition to the Civil Rights Act.
