New Jersey Senator Cory Booker has set a new record for the longest speech in the United States Senate. On August 29, 1957, Storm Thurmond made the longest speech in the Senate, while opposing the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1957. He finished his filibuster after 24 hours and 18 minutes. Senator Booker delivered a speech for 25 hours and five minutes. This was not done by accident. Booker researched ways to keep himself on the senate floor. To maintain his stamina, he fasted days prior to giving the speech, and he also stopped drinking water.
Throughout Booker’s speech he condemns President Donald Trump’s administration. He urges the American people to take action against Trump’s agenda. Booker said, “You think we got suffrage because a bunch of men on the Senate floor said, ‘Ok, guys. Come on, put your hands in here. Ready? Give women the right to vote on three. Ready? Break!’ That’s not how it happened. It’s not how it happened. It happened because the power of the people is greater than the people in power. We got civil rights because people marched for it, sweat for it, and John Lewis bled for it.”
He begins the speech saying, “Tonight, I rise with the intention of getting in some good trouble. I rise with the intention of disrupting the normal business of the United States Senate for as long as I am physically able. I rise tonight because I believe sincerely that our country is in crisis.” He opposes proposed cuts to social security and medicare, the elimination of the department of education, and Trump’s expansion of his power.
A core focus of Booker’s speech was his objection to cuts proposed to Social Security and Medicare. Three hours and 34 minutes into his speech, Booker condemns the cuts to social security. He expressed his anger saying, “Listen to John McCain. Explain why he voted no the last time the Republican Party tried to unite and tear down health care with no idea how to fix it, and threatening to put millions of Americans in financial crisis and health care crisis. I can’t believe we are here again!” The Social Security Administration (SSA) is decreasing in size. The SSA experienced staffing cuts of 7,000 positions.
During former President Donald Trump’s administration, there were repeated efforts to cut funding for the Department of Education, with some proposals even suggesting its complete elimination. On March 20, Trump signed an executive order aimed at eliminating the Department of Education (ED). Using DOGE, Trump has limited the ED and moved plans to other departments and state governments. AP US Government and Politics teacher Daniel Segal said, “I support checks and balances in the government. I believe DOGE is overreaching with their power.”
This speech attracted mixed reactions from the public, many calling it performative. Television Presenter Sean Hannity said, “Cory Booker’s performative art at a podium talking for hours, saying nothing worthwhile.” However, others were in support of him. Segal said, “Many democrats and republicans agreed to the speech because they feel frustrated with how the current administration is running.” Although it had mixed reactions, the speech was still impactful. Watch the full speech on Senator Cory Booker YouTube channel.
