Democrat Cory Booker sets record for longest Senate speech

New Jersey Democratic Senator Cory Booker held the Senate floor with a marathon speech that lasted 25 hours and 5 minutes, setting the record for the longest continuous Senate floor speech in the chamber’s history. Booker’s speech surpassed the 24-hour and 18-minute filibuster set by the late Senator Strom Thurmond in 1957, which was an attempt to block civil rights legislation.

Booker began speaking at 6:59 pm on Monday, stating his intention to disrupt the normal business of the United States Senate for as long as he was physically able, in protest of the actions of President Donald Trump and his administration. He finally yielded the floor at 8:05 p.m. Tuesday, breaking a record that had stood for nearly seven decades.

Booker was not alone throughout his historic speech. At various points, dozens of his Democratic colleagues, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Chris Murphy, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Mazie Hirono, and Senator Dick Durbin, joined him on the floor. Some engaged in extended colloquies with him, a tactic that allowed Booker to rest his voice while still maintaining control of the floor of the House.

Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and members of the Congressional Black Caucus, also came to the Senate chamber to watch. Booker’s cousin and brother, as well as Democratic aides, observed from the gallery.

Under Senate rules, a senator must stand and speak continuously to maintain control of the floor. They cannot leave the chamber for breaks or use the restroom, and they must remain standing the entire time. Booker adhered to these rules strictly. He had fasted for days before his speech and stopped drinking fluids the night before, ensuring he could last as long as possible.

Unlike Thurmond, who reportedly took a bathroom break during his 1957 filibuster, Booker remained in the chamber for the entirety of his speech.

The Senate floor was largely empty for much of the night, except for Booker, the presiding chair, a few clerks, and security personnel. Senate floor staff and US Capitol Police assigned to the chamber were required to remain at their posts for the duration of his speech. Occasionally, fellow Democratic senators stepped in to ask questions, providing Booker with brief opportunities to catch his breath.

Throughout the night, Booker shifted his weight from foot to foot and leaned on his podium to manage the physical strain of standing for over a day. He read from a thick binder of notes and letters from constituents, touching on a range of topics including Trump’s foreign policy, planned cuts to Medicaid, and the administration’s approach to government efficiency under adviser Elon Musk.

He also spoke about racial justice, voting rights, and economic inequality, emphasising the impact of the Trump administration’s policies on marginalised communities.

Shortly before breaking the record, Booker joked that he needed to stop talking and “go deal with some of the biological urgencies I’m feeling.” Despite the physical toll, he remained focused on his message, invoking the legacy of civil rights leaders such as the late Representative John Lewis.

“I’m here despite his speech,” Booker said, referring to Thurmond. “I’m here because as powerful as he was, the people were more powerful.”

The speech was not a filibuster in the legislative sense, as Booker was not blocking a specific bill or nomination. However, it did delay Senate proceedings, including a vote on the confirmation of Matthew Whitaker as US ambassador to NATO and a Democratic effort to counter Trump’s proposed tariffs.

Booker’s actions drew praise from his Democratic colleagues. Schumer called his speech “nothing short of amazing,” and NAACP President Derrick Johnson described it as an act of courage. Some Republican senators criticised the speech as a publicity stunt, with Senator John Cornyn calling it “a dramatic display with little legislative substance.”

Booker’s marathon speech joins a tradition of long Senate speeches that have drawn national attention, including Senator Ted Cruz’s 21-hour speech against the Affordable Care Act in 2013 and Senator Bernie Sanders’ 8.5-hour speech in 2010. However, Booker’s speech set a new bar, demonstrating both his personal stamina and the determination of Senate Democrats to challenge Trump’s administration.