By Gloria Ogbonna

A Marathon of Resistance

In a stunning display of endurance and resolve, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker took to the Senate floor for an unprecedented 25 hours and 5 minutes, setting a new record for the longest continuous speech in the chamber’s history.

His goal: to protest President Donald Trump’s sweeping policy actions and send a powerful message of resistance.

Booker, a former football tight end, began his speech on Monday evening, vowing to speak for as long as he was physically able. Supported by fellow Democratic senators, who provided brief respites by asking questions, he stood firm, only leaving the floor on Tuesday night—limping, exhausted, yet triumphant.

Breaking a Segregationist’s Record

Booker’s record-breaking speech shattered the 68-year-old record set by former Senator Strom Thurmond, a segregationist who spoke for over 24 hours in 1957 in an attempt to filibuster the Civil Rights Act.

“I’m here despite his speech,” Booker declared, referencing his own family’s history as descendants of both slaves and slave owners. “I’m here because as powerful as he was, the people are more powerful.”

His speech symbolized a historic reversal, where a Black senator advocating for democracy and justice supplanted the record set by a man who once fought to uphold segregation.

Democrats Rally Behind Booker

Throughout the marathon speech, Democratic leaders and colleagues rallied behind Booker. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the first Black party leader in Congress, visited the Senate chamber to witness the moment.

“This is an incredibly powerful moment,” Jeffries said. “Booker is fighting to preserve the American way of life and our democracy.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also encouraged Booker on the Senate floor, saying:

“Your strength, your fortitude, your clarity—nothing short of amazing. All of America is paying attention.”

A Call for Resolve in Troubled Times

Booker’s speech was more than just a political statement; it was a rallying cry for Democrats to stand firm in their opposition to Trump’s agenda.

“We all must look in the mirror and say, ‘We will do better,’” Booker urged. “These are not normal times in our nation, and they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate. The threats to the American people and American democracy are grave and urgent, and we all must do more to stand against them.”

It’s been over 13 hours since I started speaking, and I intend to stay on the Senate floor as long as I’m physically able. I’m here to do my job, as a Senator from New Jersey, to lift the voices of Americans who are being harmed by President Trump. I'm am speaking up. pic.twitter.com/dCjhYAP8NL

— Sen. Cory Booker (@SenBooker) April 1, 2025

A Fight Against Social Safety Net Cuts

Much of Booker’s speech was dedicated to denouncing proposed cuts to Social Security and other social programs led by Trump’s adviser, Elon Musk, under the Department of Government Efficiency.

He listed the real-life consequences of Trump’s executive orders and warned that even deeper cuts to the social safety net could be on the horizon, despite Republican assurances that these programs wouldn’t be touched.

Booker also read letters from concerned constituents, including one who feared a “looming constitutional crisis” and Trump’s suggestions of annexing Greenland and Canada.

An Endurance Test Unlike Any Other

As the hours wore on, Booker’s physical endurance was tested. He survived on only a few glasses of water, later revealing that he had fasted for days beforehand and stopped drinking fluids the night before to prevent needing a restroom break.

Cramps and exhaustion set in, yet his voice remained strong, filled with emotion as he reached the evening hours. Supporters from the Congressional Black Caucus stood nearby in solidarity, and Booker’s cousin and brother watched from the gallery.

Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut, who once held the floor for nearly 15 hours in 2016 for gun control legislation, stood by Booker’s side throughout the night—returning the support Booker had given him years before.

Breaking the Record—And Making History

By Tuesday afternoon, exhaustion began to take hold.

“I don’t have that much gas left in the tank,” Booker admitted.

Yet, as anticipation grew and the moment neared, Democratic senators packed the chamber, and onlookers filled the Senate gallery.

When Schumer officially announced that Booker had broken Thurmond’s record, the chamber erupted in applause.

Booker later reflected on Thurmond’s 1957 speech, calling it a “strange shadow hanging over this institution.” By breaking the record with a speech fighting for democracy, he hoped to erase that shadow and move the country forward.

Beyond Words: A Call to Action

Throughout his speech, Booker repeatedly invoked civil rights leader John Lewis, reminding listeners that real change comes not just from speeches, but from action.

“You think we got civil rights because Strom Thurmond filibustered for 24 hours and then one day said, ‘I’ve seen the light’?” Booker asked.

“No, we got civil rights because people marched for it, sweat for it—and John Lewis bled for it.”

Not a Filibuster, But a Statement

Unlike traditional Senate filibusters, which aim to block legislation, Booker’s marathon speech was a broader political statement—an effort to slow Senate business and draw national attention to Trump’s policies.

With Democrats locked out of legislative power, they have turned to procedural maneuvers like this to thwart Republican efforts.

Can Booker’s Speech Rally the Anti-Trump Movement?

Booker, currently serving his second Senate term, was an unsuccessful 2020 presidential candidate. His campaign, launched from his Newark home, never gained momentum, leading him to drop out before the Iowa caucuses.

However, as Democrats search for a new generation of leadership, Booker’s historic speech could cement his status as a leading voice in the party.

By Tuesday afternoon, tens of thousands had tuned in to watch him on YouTube and other livestreams, while supporters gathered outside the Capitol to cheer him on.

A Message of Hope and Determination

Despite the grueling nature of the speech, Booker ended with a message of resilience and hope:

“I may be afraid—my voice may shake—but I’m going to speak up more.”

His record-breaking speech will be remembered not just as an act of defiance, but as a symbol of persistence in the fight for justice, democracy, and equality.

Source ABC7