WASHINGTON, DC — For over 25 hours, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) stood on the Senate floor and delivered a marathon speech to protest the national cost-of-living and constitutional crisis caused by President Donald Trump and special government agent Elon Musk, including massive job cuts and sweeping tariffs.
“Unnecessary hardships are being borne by Americans of all backgrounds, and institutions which are special in America, which are precious, which are unique in our country, are being recklessly — and I would say even unconstitutionally — affected, attacked and even shattered,” said Booker during the record-breaking speech, which began at 7 p.m. on Monday evening and continued through the night into Tuesday evening.
According to Senate rules, Booker has had to remain standing on the Senate floor and could not sit at his desk or pause for a bathroom break during his entire speech or else he would lose control of the Senate floor.
At one point during the speech Senator Booker held up a copy of the Constitution, stating: “Twelve hours now I’m standing, and I’m still going strong because this president is wrong, and he’s violating principles that we hold dear and principles in this document that are so clear and plain.”
During the marathon speech, U.S. Senators were able to go to the floor to briefly ask questions while Booker retained control of the floor and had a chance to rest his voice.
On Tuesday afternoon, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) joined Booker to ask about LIHEAP cuts, indiscriminate mass-firings of federal employees, and the gutting of agencies that provide critical support for American families and protect workers’ rights; as well as the degradation of democracy. The Senators criticized the Trump Administration and discussed the negative impacts President Donald Trump’s policies have had so far, including the economic drag President Trump has created.
Senator Whitehouse said: “Senator Booker has always been a relentless fighter in the pursuit of justice. With heroic stamina, he has called the nation’s attention to the looters and polluters who President Trump is allowing to ravage our democracy at the expense of working people.”
“Our economy should be doing better right now, but President Trump’s erratic policies are creating an economic drag. Instead of helping to lower prices for everyday Americans, he is raising them. And he’s creating real economic hardships for families, communities, and states. We have the opportunity, tools, and conditions to build a stronger economy that works for all Americans, but instead President Trump is leading our country in the wrong direction. I applaud Senator Booker for using this opportunity to draw attention to the changes that are needed and I am proud to support these efforts,” said Senator Reed.
Prior to Senator Booker’s record-breaking speech today, the previous record for the longest Senate filibuster was held by Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina who spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes in opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1957.
