The Longest Speech in Senate History: Cory Booker’s Marathon of Words

Photo by Gage Skidmore/Flickr.

In an unprecedented move, New Jersey Democratic Senator Cory Booker broke a nearly 70-year-old record by delivering a speech for 25 hours and 5 minutes in protest against President Donald Trump. 

Booker's speech marks the longest delivered speech in the Senate chamber since 1957, when former South Carolina Sen. Strom Thurmond attempted to filibuster the Civil Rights Act of 1957. He spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes. 

There is a stark difference, however, between Booker’s record and the one previously set by Thurmond. 

Booker broke the record for the longest speech in Senate history, not the longest filibuster. 

A filibuster is an attempt to delay or even block a vote on a specific measure by preventing debate within the Senate. Once granted the floor, senators are generally able to speak for as long as they wish until they yield their time. 

With no vote pending, Booker's speech was not classified as a filibuster. 

So how does one prepare for such a marathon? The answer lies within the preparation and help of one’s fellow senators. 

In the days leading up to the speech, Booker fasted and stopped drinking fluids the night before. This was in an effort to reduce the risk of needing to use the restroom, which would have given up the floor. 

Fellow senators also assisted Booker by asking him questions throughout to give him a chance to spare his voice. However, Booker made it a point to say he would not give up the floor while yielding to questions. He even went as far as writing it down on a sheet of paper.

The next 25 hours would be nothing short of an endurance challenge. He not only had to worry about refraining from using the restroom or giving up the floor, but he also had to remain standing the entire time. Booker, however, took the challenge head-on. 

“I’m here because as powerful as he was, the people are more powerful,” said Booker. 

Though not to this scale, Booker is no stranger to protesting for the issues he wants to address politically. In his first year in public office in the Newark City Council, he went on a 10-day hunger strike to draw attention to crime in the city. Not only that, but he lived in tents and a motorhome to draw even more attention to the issue. 

Booker spoke on a multitude of issues during his speech, ranging from cuts to Social Security offices, led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency and many of President Trump’s initial moves while in office.

“Whether you’re [a] Republican or Democratic president, you don’t insinuate fear amongst vulnerable communities,” said Booker during his speech. 

As the hours went on, Booker garnered more and more support from politicians on both sides of Congress. Not only speaking on the content of what he was saying but the courage he had to speak for as long as he did. 

“The threats to the American people and American democracy are grave and urgent, and we all must do more to stand against them,” said Booker.