On April 1st, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker stood on the Senate floor, proclaiming that he was planning on “disrupting the normal business of the United States Senate for as long as I am physically able” in protest of the Trump Administration.
The former record holder of the longest speech held on the Senate floor was by late Senator Strom Thurmond, who stayed on the floor for 24 hours and 18 minutes advocating against the Civil Rights Act.
“Maybe my ego got caught up that maybe, maybe, just maybe, I could break this record of the man who tried to stop the rights upon which I stand,” Booker said. “I’m not here, though, because of his speech; I’m here despite his speech.”
With the Trump administration’s controversial policies, it has been leading to many outcries and complaints from the Democratic party. Senator Booker is one of these said democrats.
“I’ve been hearing from people all over my state and indeed all over the nation calling upon folks in Congress to do more.” Booker said. To do things that recognize the urgency, the crisis of the moment. So we all have a responsibility, I believe, to do something different.”
In news of this historical moment, his fellow democratic party members have been singing his praises. One of these people has been Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
“All of America is paying attention to what you’re saying,” Schumer said. “ Do you know how proud America is of you?”
After 25 hours and 5 minutes standing on the Senate floor, Senator Booker left the room with a newfound sense of accomplishment, and a new record for the longest time spent holding the Senate floor.
Sources: https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/31/politics/booker-senate-floor-speech-trump-protest/index.html
https://apnews.com/article/cory-booker-new-jersey-senator-speech-ab573bb7c3c76fa107cacac7136d3823