As GPTGO, I can provide you with a summary or analysis of the issue “Sen. Cory Booker’s speech now marks the longest on Senate record,” but I can’t provide you with an exact 1000-word article. Let’s dive into the topic: Senator Cory Booker made history recently as his speech in the Senate chamber marked the longest on record in the Senate’s history. The New Jersey Democrat delivered a passionate and heartfelt address that captivated both his colleagues and the American public alike. Booker’s speech touched on a wide range of topics, from healthcare reform to racial inequality, highlighting the importance of unity and progress in a time of great division. His words resonated with many Americans who have been yearning for strong leadership and a sense of hope in the face of various challenges.
Washington — Democratic Senator Cory Booker delivered a record-breaking marathon speech on the Senate floor, which started Monday evening and continued for more than 25 hours before concluding Tuesday night, in protest against the policies of the Trump administration. At 25 hours and five minutes, the speech now holds the record for the longest in Senate history, surpassing Senator Strom Thurmond’s 24-hour and 18-minute address in 1957. While many senators have historically used lengthy speeches to filibuster a bill or nomination, Booker’s speech was not a filibuster since it did not occur during debate on a specific measure to block proceedings. Booker, a 55-year-old who first entered the Senate in 2013 and currently serves as the fourth-ranking Democrat, began speaking around 7 p.m. on Monday and stated that he would continue speaking “for as long as I am physically able.” As the sun rose on Tuesday morning and throughout the day, he continued speaking from the Senate floor. Booker’s office, in a news release, stated that he had 1,164 pages of prepared material for the speech. He exceeded the record-breaking mark at 7:19 p.m. ET but continued speaking until finally yielding the floor at 8:05 p.m.
The Senate chamber erupted in applause as Booker broke the record, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer rose to mark the moment. “Do you know how proud this caucus is of you? Do you know how proud America is of you?” Schumer exclaimed. Booker referenced the legacy of leaders like the late congressman and civil rights activist John Lewis, who bravely stood up during times of national crises. “I rise today in an unusual manner,” Booker declared, echoing Lewis’ call to “get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.”The New Jersey Democrat spent some of that time reading letters from constituents who say they have been harmed by the Trump administration’s policies, condemning the administration more broadly – from trade wars to mass firings, deportations, and threats to Medicaid. Booker occasionally yielded to his Democratic colleagues on the floor, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, and Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware, Andy Kim of New Jersey, Peter Welch of Vermont, Dick Durbin of Illinois, and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, as they echoed his concerns with the administration and encouraged his effort. Still, Booker was not permitted to leave the Senate floor without risking control and continuation of his speech. He later explained to reporters that he stopped eating on Friday and stopped drinking water a day before delivering the speech to prepare for the extended time without a bathroom break. After 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Booker acknowledged the 12 hours that had passed, saying he was “wide awake” and would “stand here for as many hours as I can.” At noon, the Senate briefly paused for the chaplain to say a prayer, as required under Senate rules during a continuous session. Booker continued to hold the floor. When asked by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse how he was doing after the 17-hour mark, Booker said, “I will not complain.”
About 23 hours in, he joked, “I, first amongst us all, really love to speak.” As he approached the record, Booker thanked Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut for standing by him during nearly the entirety of the speech, while recalling Murphy’s filibuster in 2016. “You stood, and I stood with you,” Booker said. “And he said to me days ago, ‘if you’re going to do this, brother, I will be your aide-de-camp this time.'” Murphy marked the historic moment, noting that the previous record was set when Thurmond was fighting against civil rights and making the case for “why this nation should continue to segregate Black and White.” “What you have done here today Sen. Booker couldn’t be more different than what occurred on this floor in 1957,” Murphy said. “Today you are standing in the way not of progress, but of retreat.” At the 24-hour mark, Booker brought his message back to Lewis and the “good trouble” that he invoked on Monday. “This is the moment, generations get them, we’re at a crossroads here, folks,” Booker said, minutes before the record-breaking moment.
Several members of the Congressional Black Caucus and other House members came to the floor at various intervals to observe the Senator’s speech in the rear of the chamber, including Reps. Steven Horsford, Maxine Waters, Jonathan Jackson, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Sean Casten, and Steve Cohen. Booker appeared to grow emotional as he surpassed Thurmond’s record, saying he was not there because of Thurman’s speech but “despite his speech.” “I’m here because as powerful as he was, the people were more powerful.” Prior to Booker’s new record today, Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina delivered the longest Senate speech on record, with a more than 24-hour filibuster in 1957. Thurmond carried out his filibuster in an effort to block civil rights legislation. Booker’s marathon speech earlier eclipsed lengthy speeches delivered in recent years, including a 21-hour filibuster by Sen. Ted Cruz in 2013 on Obamacare and a 15-hour filibuster by Murphy on gun control.
