Cory Booker Breaks Senate Record

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New Jersey Senator Cory Booker made history by delivering the longest speech ever recorded in the U.S. Senate: a 25-hour, 5-minute speech resisting President Donald Trump's policies. This marathon filibuster surpassed the previous record, held by Strom Thurmond, a segregationist who spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes in 1957 to block the Civil Rights Act.

A historic moment in the Senate

The senator Cory Booker took the floor Monday night with a clear mission: to stand firm until his body couldn't take it anymore. What began as a critique of Trump's agenda turned into an unprecedented event, breaking a 68-year-old recordBooker spoke not only for himself, but for millions of Americans concerned about the country's direction. This wasn't a traditional filibuster aimed at blocking a specific bill, but rather a broader protest against what he called a "looming constitutional crisis."

Breaking a segregationist's record

Strom Thurmond, a senator from South Carolina, used his 1957 speech to defend the Jim Crow system, a set of laws and policies that enforced racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans for decades. Booker, an African American progressive whose ancestors included both slaves and slave owners, viewed that record as a symbolic injustice. “It always seemed wrong to me that he should have that record,” he admitted. By surpassing it, Booker not only set a new benchmark but also reclaimed space for a narrative of justice and resilience. As he spoke, the senator reminded the nation that “the people are more powerful” than political figures like Thurmond.

A broad criticism of Trump's agenda

During his 25-hour speech, Booker addressed multiple aspects of Trump's policies. He criticized the Department of Justice's cuts to Social Security, warning of broader attacks on the social safety net, even though Republicans insisted these programs were secure. He read letters from citizens affected by Trump's policies—such as the Justice Department budget cuts. "We are facing a moral moment," Booker insisted, warning that American democracy is under serious and urgent threat.

Support from the Black Caucus and fellow Democrats

Booker's effort was not a solo act. Dozens of members of the Congressional Black Caucus, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, remained in the Senate chamber to support him. Other Democratic senators stood nearby, asking him questions so he could rest his voice without ceding control of the floor. Jeffries called the speech "an incredibly powerful moment," highlighting how Booker fought to preserve the American way of life while breaking the record of a segregationist.

Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also weighed in, praising Booker's "strength and clarity."

A feat of physical and moral endurance

Booker's achievement required extraordinary physical stamina. A former college football player, now 55, he fasted for days before the speech and stopped drinking liquids the night before so he could stand. Consuming only a couple of glasses of water during his remarks, he suffered cramps, but his voice grew stronger with emotion as the hours passed. His family watched from the gallery, while Senator Chris Murphy sat beside him in the chamber, returning the support Booker had given Murphy during his own 15-hour speech on gun control in 2016.

When Booker finally surpassed Thurmond's record, the chamber erupted in applause. "I've been thinking about this speech since I came to the Senate," Booker told reporters afterward.

An impact beyond the Senate

Booker closed his speech by recalling the words of his mentor, civil rights icon John Lewis. Inspired by Lewis's courage—who faced violence in his fight against segregation—Booker emphasized the need to “make good and necessary trouble” to protect the nation's soul.

Booker's speech captured national attention. Tens of thousands of people watched live on his YouTube channel and other platforms, while a small crowd gathered outside the Capitol to cheer him on.

While it did not block any specific legislation, it temporarily paralyzed Senate proceedings and amplified the voice of the Democratic opposition.

“Don’t treat this moral moment as if it were something normal,” Booker said. This record is not just a personal achievement, but a challenge for everyone—politicians, activists, and citizens alike.

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Fountain: Associated Press