On Monday night, Senator Cory Booker took to the Senate floor for an extraordinary marathon speech, protesting the policies of the Trump administration. The New Jersey Democrat began his address at 7 p.m. EDT and pledged to speak for as long as he was physically able. By 8 a.m. the following day, he was still standing, glasses perched on his nose and papers in hand, demonstrating his commitment to the cause.
Throughout the night, Booker took periodic breaks by yielding to questions from fellow Democrats, emphasizing the urgency of the issues at hand. "I've been hearing from people all over my state and indeed all over the nation calling upon folks in Congress to do more," he stated in a video shared on social media prior to his speech. "We all have a responsibility, I believe, to do something different, to cause — as the late Rep. John Lewis said — 'good trouble,' and that includes me."
Booker's speech targeted President Donald Trump and White House senior advisor Elon Musk, condemning their policies for showing a blatant disregard for the rule of law, the Constitution, and the needs of the American populace. During his extensive address, he covered a variety of critical topics, including healthcare, Social Security, immigration, the economy, public education, and free speech. He also read excerpts from letters received from constituents who have been adversely affected by current policies.
In his opening remarks, Booker expressed the gravity of the current political climate: "In just 71 days, the president has inflicted harm after harm on Americans' safety, financial stability, the foundations of our democracy, and any sense of common decency. These are not normal times in our nation, and they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate."
As of Tuesday morning, neither Trump nor Musk had publicly responded to Booker's lengthy address. This speech comes at a particularly tense moment for the Democratic Party, as nine Democrats recently joined Republicans in passing a Trump-backed spending bill. This decision prevented a government shutdown but has alienated constituents who seek a stronger pushback against the president's agenda.
Booker's speech is not classified as a traditional filibuster, as he is not attempting to block a specific bill or nominee. According to the Congressional Research Service (CRS), under Senate rules, a senator recognized by the presiding officer can speak indefinitely unless special limits on debate are imposed. Typically, senators cannot be interrupted or forced to cede the floor without their consent.
To maintain his standing and focus, Booker employed several strategies. He had a Senate page remove his chair to eliminate any temptation to sit down, a unique tactic noted by Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut on Twitter. Additionally, Booker allowed colleagues to ask questions during his speech, which is the only way a senator can yield the floor without losing it. However, this tactic still required him to remain standing while responding to questions.
Throughout the night, Booker yielded the floor to several Democratic colleagues, including Murphy, Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey, Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, allowing them to engage and participate in the discussion.
As reported by The New York Times, Booker's speech could disrupt official Senate business if it extends past noon when the Senate is scheduled to convene. At that point, his address had already surpassed 12 hours, marking a significant effort, although still short of some of the longest speeches in recent Senate history.
For instance, Murphy previously led Democrats in a 15-hour push for gun control legislation following the tragic Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting in 2016. In 2013, Republican Sen. Ted Cruz famously held the floor for 21 hours and 19 minutes in an unsuccessful attempt to defund Obamacare. The record for the longest filibuster belongs to Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina, who spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes in opposition to the Civil Rights Act in 1957.
Booker's courageous stand highlights the ongoing political battles surrounding the Trump administration's policies and serves as a rallying cry for those advocating for change within the Democratic Party and across the nation.
