The News
US Sen. Cory Booker set a new record for the Senate chamber’s longest speech Tuesday evening after holding the floor for more than 25 hours in a dramatic protest against the Trump administration.
The New Jersey Democrat surpassed the late Sen. Strom Thermond’s 1967 filibuster against civil rights by 48 minutes. “Maybe my ego got caught up that maybe, maybe, just maybe, I could break this record of the man who tried to stop the rights upon which I stand,” Booker said. “I’m not here, though, because of his speech; I’m here despite his speech.”
He was unable to leave his desk or sit down: Senators can speak for as long as they like but only if they do so continuously.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer praised his colleague’s efforts. “The disastrous actions of this administration — in terms of how they’re helping only the billionaires and hurting average families — you have brought that forth with such clarity,” he said.