Topline
Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., broke the record for longest individual speech in Senate history after a 24-hour-plus stand on the Senate floor that began Monday evening and continued Tuesday, intended as a protest of President Donald Trump’s policies.
Key Facts
Booker broke the record for the longest individual speech in Senate history, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., interrupting Booker to inform him he broke the record as the room erupted in cheers.
Booker said on social media he aimed “to lift the voices of Americans who are being harmed and not being heard in this moment of crisis.”
Booker criticized the Trump administration for “putting profits over people,” “trying to gut Medicaid and Medicare,” threatening changes to social security, dismantling the Education Department, accidentally deporting a Maryland resident and more.
Throughout the speech Booker repeatedly said “this is not right or left, this is right or wrong” and he spent some of the 23 hours reading letters he said were from his constituents detailing their concerns around Trump’s policies and the role of Trump adviser Elon Musk and DOGE.
Booker yielded to questions from other Democrats to get a break from speaking, but has not given up the floor and remained standing to comply with Senate rules, the Associated Press reported.
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Crucial Quote
“I rise with the intention of getting in some good trouble”—a reference to the expression used by civil rights leader and politician Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga.—“I rise with the intention of disrupting the normal business of the United States Senate for as long as I am physically able,” Booker said Monday night. “I rise tonight because I believe sincerely that our country is in crisis.”
What Have Democrats Said About Bookers Speech?
A number of Democratic lawmakers have stepped in during Booker’s speech to ask him questions and give him a break, including Schumer, who took the opportunity to praise Booker’s “strength and conviction” and for “taking the floor tonight to bring up all these inequities that will hurt people, that will so hurt the middle class, that will so hurt poor people, that will hurt America, hurt our fiscal conditions.” Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., also asked a question and used some of the time to praise Booker, saying he was “giving people hope” and helping bring attention on what is happening in America.
Is Cory Booker Filibustering?
Technically, no. According to the Senate, filibuster is a “loosely defined term for action designed to prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote on a bill, resolution, amendment, or other debatable question.” No legislation or nomination is actually being blocked.
How Long Has Cory Booker Been On The Senate Floor?
Booker took the floor at 7 p.m. EDT Monday night and was still talking more than 24 hours later after 7 p.m. EDT on Tuesday.
What Is The Record For Longest Senate Speech?
Sen. Strom Thurmond, a lawmaker from South Carolina who was a Democrat before switching parties, holds the record for the longest speech from an individual on the Senate floor. In 1957, he spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes to protest the Civil Rights Act of 1957. There have been longer speeches and all-night sessions throughout the Senate’s history, but many have included multiple lawmakers.
Key Background
Booker was first elected as a senator in 2013 as part of a special election, and prior to that he served as mayor of Newark, New Jersey. He had an unsuccessful run for president in 2020 and dropped out of the race after he failed to meet the requirements for a debate in January 2020. Booker, 55, is a former Stanford University football player, which one of his colleagues, Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., credited for his ability to hold the floor for so many hours.
Big Number
73,309. That’s how many people were watching Booker’s livestreamed speech on YouTube as he hit the 23-hour mark at 6 p.m. EDT Tuesday. The Senator’s X page showed there have been more than 667,600 views on his livestream as of 6 p.m. EDT, as well.
Further Reading
New Jersey Sen. Booker presses his marathon speech against Trump’s agenda past 18 hours and counting (Associated Press)
Cory Booker’s marathon speech ranks among the Senate’s longest (Axios)