WASHINGTON (7News) — Sen. Cory Booker has been speaking on the Senate floor for more than 12 hours, delivering a marathon speech against the policies and proposed budget cuts of the new Trump administration.
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The New Jersey Democrat began his remarks around 7 p.m. Monday. As of Tuesday morning, Booker remained on the Senate floor, continuing his protest.
So far, he has covered a range of topics, including funding cuts to the Department of Education and the need for bipartisanship in Congress.
Though lengthy, his speech is not considered a filibuster, as he is not blocking legislation or a nomination.
Booker has vowed to continue “as long as I am physically able,” pausing only to take questions. At one point, Sen. Chris Murphy stepped in to give him a brief break.
His speech is part of a broader Democratic effort to push back against President Donald Trump’s policies, particularly regarding federal government spending and rollbacks.
“These are not normal times in our nation,” Booker said at the start of his speech. “And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate. The threats to the American people and American democracy are grave and urgent, and we all must do more to stand against them.”
On Tuesday morning, Booker got some help from Democratic colleagues, who gave him a break from speaking to ask him a question. Booker said he would yield for questions but would not give up the Senate floor.
According to the Senate’s website, the record for the longest individual speech belongs to Strom Thurmond of South Carolina, who filibustered for 24 hours and 18 minutes against the Civil Rights Act of 1957.
Booker, 55, is serving his second term in the Senate. He was an unsuccessful presidential candidate in 2020.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
