New Jersey Senator Cory Booker took to the Senate floor for a marathon speech, continuing late into the night, as he strongly criticized decisions made by President Donald Trump’s administration.
The Democratic senator began speaking at 7 p.m. ET on Monday and continued for hours. As a prominent member of the Senate Democratic leadership, Booker’s extended speech comes at a time when Democratic leaders in Washington are facing mounting pressure from their supporters to take a stronger stance against the Trump administration. By midnight, Booker was still speaking, addressing a wide range of issues.
“I rise with the intention of disrupting the normal business of the United States Senate for as long as I am physically able. I rise tonight because I sincerely believe that our country is in crisis,” the 55-year-old senator said, as reported by CNN.
“In just 71 days, the president of the United States has inflicted so much harm on Americans’ safety, financial stability, and the core foundations of our democracy. These are not normal times in America. And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate,” he added.
Booker Warns of Harmful Medicaid Cuts Amid Republican Spending Reductions
Booker warned that proposed Medicaid cuts by congressional Republicans could negatively impact his constituents and Americans nationwide. While Republicans deny any direct cuts to Medicaid, they have emphasized reducing waste, fraud, and abuse while proposing substantial spending reductions without specifying which programs would be affected.
He also referenced the late Senator John McCain, recalling his pivotal healthcare vote in 2017 and drawing parallels to the current situation. Booker criticized lawmakers for either making only minor improvements or attempting to dismantle the system without a clear plan, leaving millions of Americans struggling.
“Senator McCain, I know you wouldn’t sanction this. I know you would be screaming. I’ve seen how angry you can get, John McCain. I’ve seen you tear people apart on this floor, Democrat and Republican alike, for doing the same foolish thing over and over again,” he said.
Booker highlighted McCain’s crucial vote against a Republican-led effort to repeal healthcare without a viable replacement, warning that similar decisions could once again put millions of Americans at financial and health risk.
Notable Marathon Speeches in Senate History
In recent years, the Senate has witnessed several marathon speeches. Jeff Merkley spoke against Neil Gorsuch’s nomination in 2017, Chris Murphy spoke on gun control in 2016, Rand Paul protested NSA surveillance programs in 2015, and Ted Cruz opposed the Affordable Care Act in 2013.
One of the most famous marathon speeches in Senate history remains the 24-hour and 18-minute address by Strom Thurmond in opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1957.
Booker’s Speech and Senate Traditions
Although lengthy, Booker’s speech was not a filibuster, as he was not blocking any legislation or nomination. However, his address kept the Senate floor open—requiring floor staff and U.S. Capitol police to remain on duty—as long as he continued speaking. Lawmakers had already concluded voting for the day before he began his remarks.
During his speech, Booker took questions from several Democratic colleagues, allowing him brief breaks while maintaining control of the floor. Per Senate procedure, when he yielded for a question, he could stop speaking without relinquishing his time.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was the first to question Booker and praised him for his dedication and conviction.
“You’re taking the floor tonight to highlight all these inequities that will hurt people, that will so hurt the middle class, that will so hurt poor people, that will hurt America, hurt our fiscal conditions, as you document,” Schumer said. “Just give us an insight into the strength and conviction that drive you to do this—to let the people know how bad these policies will be.”
Booker then yielded to Democratic Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, who had prayed with him on the Senate floor before he began speaking.
“My sister came over and prayed with me that I could stand for a long time because she knew what we were trying to do—to create, in the spirit of John Lewis, ‘good trouble’ in this institution, to disrupt the status quo,” he said. “She asked God to give me words of love today.”
As Booker continued speaking late into the night, his marathon speech echoed past Senate protests, reinforcing the power of persistence in political discourse.