It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day!
Cory Booker is a name already in the history books. The first African American senator elected from the state of New Jersey, Booker has been stalwart for justice even before his historic election to the Senate in 2013. But now, Booker has cemented his legacy, recently delivering a 25 hour speech on the Senate floor in an effort to highlight the very real, very dangerous policies of the Trump administration, The Hill reports.
Booker began his speech around 7 p.m. ET on Monday, March 31st. As a Democratic leader, his goal was to highlight actions and policies put forth by the Trump administration that undermined the fabric of democracy and Americans at large.
“These are not normal times in our nation. 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,” began Booker.
“In just 71 days, the president of the United States has inflicted so much harm on Americans’ safety, financial stability, the core foundations of our democracy and even our aspirations as a people for – from our highest offices – a sense of common decency,” He continued.
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The NJ Senator then continued at length, speaking for a whopping 25 hours and 5 minutes, addressing everything from threats to cut Medicaid and Social Security, to the widespread federal government layoffs and the GOP’s plans to make 2017 tax cuts permanent. Booker did not yield the floor for the entire 25 hour marathon speech, his colleagues jumping in at time to ask questions and give him a break. Booker ensured he would not sit down by asking for his chair to be taken away and at times read letters from constituents impacted by the administrations actions.
“I’m rip-roaring and ready. I’m wide awake. I’m going to stand here for as many hours as I can,” said Booker.
While not considered a filibuster, Booker’s speech was historic, and is now officially the longest speech in chamber history. The previous record holder was South Carolina Republican Senator Strom Thurmond, a segregationist who filibustered against the Civil Rights Act of 1957 for 24 hours and 18 minutes. Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz also came close to breaking the record, opposing the Afrordable Care Act in a 2013 speech that went on for 21 hours and 19 minutes. Now, Booker has broke the record for being on the right side of history, in a move that many are praising, with political pundits saying Booker has officially changed the course of political history.
“I want to emphasize what Cory Booker did over the last 24 hours may have changed the course of political history. I watched a lot of it. I listened to words. I listened to phrases…He struck the kind of tone that grassroots Democrats are looking for. He gave them a reason to fight. He gave them a reason to stand up and say, this is my country too,” GOP pollster Frank Luntz told reporters.
While Booker’s actions may not have done anything to sway Republicans and MAGA supporters, he absolutely struck a nerve with Democrats and the American people. Chuck Schumer, Democratic Minority Leader of the U.S. Senate, took time during Booker’s speech to announce he had broken the record as the room filled with roaring applause. It was a moment that marked a shift and reignited the spark for Democrats who previously felt hopeless.
“I thank the gentleman for his fortitude and strength, and the crystalline brilliance by which he has shown the American people the huge dangers that face them with this Trump-DOGE-Musk administration,” said Schumer.
Thank God for Cory Booker!
Cover photo: Cory Booker Breaks Senate Floor Speech Record Previously Held by Anti-Civil Rights Segregationist/Photo credit: Associated Press