On Monday evening at 7 p.m. ET, U.S. Senator Cory Booker took the Senate floor to deliver a marathon speech aimed at condemning the actions of the Trump administration and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. This bold move is reminiscent of previous marathon speeches in the Senate, notably by lawmakers like Senator Ted Cruz.
Before stepping onto the Senate floor, Senator Booker shared his intentions on social media platform X, stating, “I’m heading to the Senate floor because Donald Trump and Elon Musk have shown a complete disregard for the rule of law, the Constitution, and the needs of the American people.” He emphasized his determination by declaring, “I am not going to stop speaking, I am not going to stop standing. I am going to go for as long as I'm physically able to go.”
Once in the Senate chamber, Booker articulated his concerns about the harm inflicted upon Americans, stating that Trump has severely undermined their safety, financial stability, and the core foundations of democracy. “I rise tonight because I believe sincerely that our country is in crisis,” Booker proclaimed, underscoring the urgency of his message.
In a related context, former President Trump recently hinted at a potential bid for a third term in office, despite the constitutional limit of two terms. Speaking to NBC News, he pointed to his polling numbers as evidence of public support for another term, although his approval ratings during his initial weeks in office were among the lowest in modern history, surpassing only his own ratings from 2017.
Many are curious about the nature and implications of Booker's marathon speech. While it captivates public interest, Cory Booker’s speech does not qualify as a filibuster. A filibuster typically aims to delay the passage of legislation or nominations, which is not the intention behind Booker's remarks. Instead, he is using this platform to voice significant concerns regarding current political leadership.
Although the voting in the Senate concluded on Monday, the floor will remain open for as long as Booker continues his address. For those interested in watching this historic speech, it is available on C-SPAN and various social media platforms, including X, Facebook, and YouTube.
Marathon speeches have a long-standing tradition in the U.S. Senate as a form of protest. For instance, in 2017, Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon spoke for an impressive 15 hours and 26 minutes against the nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. Additionally, in 2013, Senator Ted Cruz delivered a lengthy speech lasting 21 hours and 19 minutes to oppose the Affordable Care Act. The record for the longest filibuster belongs to former South Carolina Senator Strom Thurmond, who spoke for over 24 hours in an effort to block the Civil Rights Act in 1957.
As Cory Booker embarks on this significant speech, it serves as a reminder of the power of the Senate floor as a platform for political expression and dissent.
This article was contributed by James Powel and Kinsey Crowley.
