Senator Cory Booker wrapped up the longest speech in Senate history, surpassing a record that has stood since 1957.
The New Jersey Democrat’s marathon address was a protest against President Donald Trump and Republican-led efforts to curtail voting rights and immigration protections.
Booker’s speech edged past the previous high mark set by South Carolina Senator Strom Thurmond, who filibustered the Civil Rights Act of 1957 for 24 hours and 18 minutes.
Why It Matters
Booker, 55, took the Senate floor on Monday evening around 7 p.m. ET to protest what he deemed an assault on democratic values by Trump. He stated that he would remain on the Senate floor for as long as he was “physically able.”
“This is not just about policy, this is about principle,” Booker said, as reported by the Associated Press. “We are standing here because we know that the future of this country depends on the moral choices we make today.”
Who is Cory Booker?
Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, has served in the U.S. Senate since 2013. He is a former mayor of Newark and was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020.
Known for his progressive views, Booker has championed issues ranging from criminal justice reform to climate action and economic justice. He has also taken a role in opposing judicial nominations and legislation he views as potential threats to civil rights.
Booker is the first Black American to represent New Jersey in the Senate.
How Long Was Cory Booker’s Speech?
Booker spoke for 25 hours and 4 minutes, breaking the record for the longest floor speech in Senate history by nearly an hour.
His speech, which delayed legislative Senate business on Tuesday since it ran late, was structured to comply with Senate rules, which allows members to speak indefinitely, provided they remain standing and do not leave the chamber or yield the floor. However, Booker briefly paused during the chamber’s regular prayer on Tuesday.
Overnight, Booker referenced historical documents, court rulings, and constituent letters, including a deportation case where a man with protected status was removed to El Salvador.
“Everybody in this chamber swears an oath to uphold the Constitution. But every single day it just seems our president is challenging constitutional principles, pushing past constitutional boundaries. Every day we hear new stories of immigrants – some here legally, some awaiting trial, most charged with no crimes being rounded up, detained, arrested, deported… this is happening without charges, evidence, trial, hearings, without what the Constitution says- due process,” Booker said.
Booker was joined intermittently by Democratic colleagues who posed questions, allowing him to rest his voice while maintaining control of the floor.
Why Wasn’t Booker’s Speech a Filibuster?
According to U.S. Senate documents, a filibuster is a loose term for action designed to prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote on a bill, resolution, amendment, or other debatable question.
In 1917, the Senate adopted a rule to allow a two-thirds majority to end a filibuster, a procedure known as “cloture.” In 1975 the Senate reduced the number of votes required for cloture from two-thirds of senators voting to three-fifths of all senators duly chosen and sworn, or 60 of the 100-member Senate.
Technically, Booker’s speech was not a filibuster as it was not an attempt to stall or block legislation.
What Are the Longest Filibusters in Senate History?
Before Booker’s speech, the record-holder was Senator Strom Thurmond, who filibustered the Civil Rights Act of 1957 for 24 hours and 18 minutes. That speech was widely condemned in retrospect, given its opposition to civil rights for African Americans.
Other lengthy Senate speeches include:
- Senator Alfonse D’Amato’s 23-hour filibuster in 1986 against a military bill.
- Senator Rand Paul’s 13-hour speech in 2013 over drone policy.
- Senator Bernie Sanders’ 8.5-hour speech in 2010 over tax cuts for the wealthy.
What Happened When Cory Booker Broke the Record?
At the moment Booker surpassed Thurmond’s record, the Senate chamber was quiet, then a brief interruption occurred from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who rose to acknowledge the historic moment.
“You’ve just made history,” Schumer said. “And I’m proud to witness it.”
Booker then said: “This moment is not mine alone. It belongs to all those who fought, who bled, who marched so I could stand here today.” He acknowledged Thurmond’s opposition to the protections that allowed him to serve in the Senate but said he forgave him.
What’s Next
Following his historic speech, Booker is expected to appear on both CNN and MSNBC for interviews this evening.
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