Sen. Cory Booker’s Marathon Speech Highlights Democratic Protest Against Trump Policies
In a remarkable display of stamina and conviction, Sen. Cory Booker took to the Senate floor Monday night to voice his opposition against the Trump administration’s policies. With other Democrats joining the effort, Booker’s speech is not just a personal marathon but part of a broader strategy to challenge the current administration.
Sen. Booker, representing New Jersey, began his speech at 7 p.m. EDT on Monday, determined to speak “for as long as I am physically able.” As of 1 p.m. Tuesday, he was still at the podium, taking breaks only to field questions from fellow senators, a tactic that allowed him to rest without yielding the floor.
The live stream of Booker’s speech attracted over 48,000 viewers on YouTube, demonstrating significant public interest in the proceedings.
“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 stated in a video shared on social media. “And so we all have a responsibility, I believe, to do something different, to cause — as [late Rep.] John Lewis said — ‘good trouble,’ and that includes me.”
Throughout the night, Booker addressed numerous issues, including healthcare, immigration, and the economy, drawing from letters from constituents and statements from world leaders. His speech criticized President Trump, White House senior adviser Elon Musk, and what he described as their administration’s “complete disregard for the rule of law.”
In his opening remarks, Booker asserted, “In just 71 days, the president has inflicted harm after harm on Americans’ safety, financial stability, the foundations of our democracy, and any sense of common decency.” He stressed the abnormality of the current political climate, urging the Senate to recognize this.
What are the rules?
While Booker’s speech is long, it isn’t technically a filibuster since it doesn’t aim to block specific legislation. According to the Congressional Research Service (CRS), senators can speak for as long as they wish if they are recognized by the presiding officer, provided they remain standing and speak continuously.
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., noted on Twitter that Booker had removed his chair to avoid the temptation to sit, illustrating the physical demands of such an undertaking.
What did other Democrats say?
More than a dozen Democrats participated in the proceedings, discussing various topics and commending Booker’s dedication. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer praised Booker for exposing the dangers of the current administration.
Booker’s colleagues also took the opportunity to discuss issues ranging from Medicaid to national security, with Booker elaborating on each topic. The atmosphere, while serious, included lighter moments, such as when Booker and Sen. Amy Klobuchar exchanged jokes about music preferences and sports teams.
How long can these speeches go?
Booker’s extended speech joins the ranks of other notable Senate marathons. It outlasts efforts by Sen. Chris Murphy, who spoke for 15 hours on gun control in 2016. However, it is still shorter than Sen. Ted Cruz’s 21-hour attempt to defund Obamacare in 2013 and the record 24-hour and 18-minute speech by Sen. Strom Thurmond against the Civil Rights Act in 1957.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
