A Historic Protest on the Senate Floor: Cory Booker’s 25-Hour Senate Speech Breaks Record
Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey made history with a marathon speech on the Senate floor, speaking for 25 hours and 5 minutes. His protest, aimed at exposing the harm he believes President Donald Trump’s administration is causing, set a new record for the longest speech in modern Senate history.
Booker’s speech surpassed the previous record of 24 hours and 18 minutes set by the late Sen. Strom Thurmond in 1957. Unlike Thurmond, who spoke in opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1957, Booker framed his speech as a fight for justice and against the policies he says are harming everyday Americans.
Speaking in the Spirit of Civil Rights Icons
Booker, 55, made it clear that his decision to speak at length was inspired by civil rights leaders, particularly the late Rep. John Lewis.
“Since I’ve gotten to the Senate, I always felt it was a strange shadow hanging over this institution—that the longest speech was given in opposition to civil rights,” Booker told CNN. “As someone who grew up with the legends of the Civil Rights Movement, it just seemed wrong to me.”
His speech began at 7 p.m. ET on a Monday night, armed with nothing but a Bible verse in his pocket and a promise to speak as long as he was “physically able.”
A Symbolic Rebuke, Not a Filibuster
Though Booker’s speech effectively delayed legislative business in the Senate, it was not a filibuster, as he was not attempting to block a specific bill. Instead, it was a high-profile act of defiance, highlighting Democratic frustrations as the party struggles to counter Trump’s administration.
He decried a range of issues, including Elon Musk’s influence on federal agencies, threats to healthcare programs, and what he called a crisis in American democracy.
“In just 71 days, the president of the United States has inflicted so much harm on Americans’ safety, financial stability, and the core foundations of our democracy,” Booker declared.
Health Care at the Center of the Speech
A significant portion of Booker’s remarks focused on the potential for Medicaid cuts. He invoked the late Sen. John McCain, recalling his decisive 2017 vote that preserved key health protections.
“It is maddening in this country to create greater and greater health care crises and for us not to solve it,” Booker said. “Instead, we battle back and forth over tearing it down with no plan to make it better, leaving more Americans suffering.”
The Physical Toll of the Speech
Booker’s speech was an endurance test. He dehydrated himself in the days leading up to it, leading to muscle cramps as the hours wore on. Despite this, he never yielded the floor, except briefly for a Senate prayer at noon and when answering questions from Democratic colleagues.
Sen. Chris Murphy, who previously delivered a 14-hour speech on gun control, stayed by Booker’s side throughout the night. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also voiced support, praising Booker’s commitment to shining a light on inequities that “hurt the middle class and poor people.”
Public Reaction and Digital Reach
Booker’s speech drew national attention, particularly on social media. He streamed the event live on TikTok, amassing over 350 million likes, and more than 110,000 people tuned in on YouTube.
“New respect for New Jersey,” one viewer commented during the livestream.
Democrats, facing a Republican-controlled Congress, have struggled to make headway against Trump’s policies. Booker’s dramatic speech, while symbolic, was seen by many as a rallying cry for more resistance.
Booker’s speech highlights a growing demand for Democratic lawmakers to take stronger action against Trump’s administration. While Republicans insist Medicaid and other key programs are not under threat, Booker and many supporters remain skeptical.
As the Senate moves forward, Booker’s record-breaking speech will likely be remembered not just for its length, but for its attempt to shake up the status quo in Washington.
