WASHINGTON — Sen. Cory Booker from New Jersey is currently delivering a lengthy speech on the Senate floor to protest recent actions carried out by the administration of President Donald Trump. He has stated that he will continue this endeavor “as long as I am physically able.”
It is important to note that this speech is not classified as a filibuster because Booker is not obstructing any legislation or nomination processes. By keeping the Senate floor engaged, including floor staff and Capitol police assigned to the chamber, Booker is extending the Senate session through his continuous speech. However, it is worth mentioning that voting for the day had already concluded before he commenced his speech.
“I am taking a stand with the objective of disrupting the regular proceedings of the United States Senate for as long as I am physically capable,” expressed Booker as he began his address. He further added, “I am rising tonight because I genuinely believe that our nation is facing a crisis.” Booker initiated his speech at 7:00 pm ET on Monday.
Booker is undertaking this effort at a time when Democratic leaders in Washington are under pressure from their base to do more to stand up to Trump. He is a member of the Senate Democratic leadership team.
“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 asiprations as a people from our highest offices for a sense of common decency,” Booker said. “These are not normal times in America. And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate.”
In recent years, the chamber has seen a number of marathon speeches mounted by senators, including: Jeff Merkley against Neil Gorsuch in 2017; Chris Murphy on gun control in 2016; Rand Paul over National Security Agency surveillance programs in 2015; and Ted Cruz against the Affordable Care Act 2013.
The late Strom Thurmond holds the record for the longest speech when he spoke on the floor for 24 hours and 18 minutes to oppose the Civil Rights Act of 1957.
