Senator Cory Booker Breaks Senate Record with Marathon Speech to Protest Trump Administration Policies

On Tuesday evening, Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey set a new record for the longest speech in the history of the U.S. Senate. Beginning his address on Monday at approximately 7 p.m., Booker continued speaking into Tuesday evening, surpassing the previous record held by the late Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina. Thurmond’s record, which stood at 24 hours and 18 minutes, was established in 1957 during a filibuster against the Civil Rights Act.

Senator Booker, who has served in the Senate since 2013 and is currently the fourth-ranking Democrat, embarked on this marathon speech as a form of protest against the policies of the Trump administration. Despite the length of his address, Booker’s speech does not qualify as a filibuster, as it is not aimed at blocking a specific legislative measure or nomination. Instead, it serves as a symbolic gesture to express his opposition.

Throughout his speech, Booker emphasized his commitment to speaking “for as long as I am physically able,” highlighting the personal and political motivations behind his decision. His address marks only the second time in Senate history that a senator has spoken for more than 24 consecutive hours, joining Thurmond in this rare achievement.

The record-breaking speech drew attention to the use of extended addresses in the Senate, a tactic historically employed to delay or prevent legislative action. While Booker’s speech did not serve this traditional purpose, it underscored the senator’s dedication to voicing his concerns and engaging in the democratic process.