Senator Cory Booker Stages 19-Hour Speech in US Senate Against Trump Administration Policies
Democratic Senator Cory Booker conducts a marathon speech aimed at challenging the constitutional implications of President Trump’s policies, setting sights on a historic filibuster.
Democratic Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey began a lengthy oration in the United States Senate on Monday at 7:00 PM local time, standing to protest against what he termed the 'unconstitutional' policies of President Donald Trump.
The senator continued to speak uninterrupted into Tuesday afternoon, totaling over 19 hours of continuous address.
At the outset of his speech, Booker expressed his intention to disrupt normal Senate proceedings as long as he was physically able.
He declared, "I stand up this evening because I genuinely believe our country is in crisis," indicating the urgency behind his actions.
The Senate’s internal rules allow any senator to take the floor to speak at length, provided they remain standing and do not take breaks.
This approach is referred to as a 'filibuster,' a tactic deriving from a term meaning 'pirate' in French, reflecting its aim to disrupt legislative proceedings.
Notably, while Booker’s speech was lengthy, it was not obstructive, as there were no bills currently under consideration for a vote.
The rules governing such speeches are stringent; senators cannot sit down or take breaks for personal needs.
The only respite permitted is through questioning from other senators, which can extend the duration of the speech as a different senator may pose lengthy inquiries.
As Booker progressed through his remarks, he neared the historical record for the longest speech in Senate history, held since 1957 by Strom Thurmond of South Carolina, who spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes in opposition to civil rights legislation.
In 2013, Senator Ted Cruz set a significant precedent by speaking for over 21 hours against President Barack Obama’s healthcare reform.
During the initial phase of his address, Booker condemned the actions taken by the Trump administration.
He asserted that in only 71 days, the president had caused considerable damage to the security and financial stability of Americans, as well as to the foundational tenets of democracy.
He emphasized, "These are not normal times in the United States," conveying a sense of urgency and rallying the public against Republican policies.
By Tuesday afternoon, as Booker continued to speak with visible fatigue and a strained voice, he reiterated calls for American citizens to resist Republican actions and policies.
The senator continued to speak uninterrupted into Tuesday afternoon, totaling over 19 hours of continuous address.
At the outset of his speech, Booker expressed his intention to disrupt normal Senate proceedings as long as he was physically able.
He declared, "I stand up this evening because I genuinely believe our country is in crisis," indicating the urgency behind his actions.
The Senate’s internal rules allow any senator to take the floor to speak at length, provided they remain standing and do not take breaks.
This approach is referred to as a 'filibuster,' a tactic deriving from a term meaning 'pirate' in French, reflecting its aim to disrupt legislative proceedings.
Notably, while Booker’s speech was lengthy, it was not obstructive, as there were no bills currently under consideration for a vote.
The rules governing such speeches are stringent; senators cannot sit down or take breaks for personal needs.
The only respite permitted is through questioning from other senators, which can extend the duration of the speech as a different senator may pose lengthy inquiries.
As Booker progressed through his remarks, he neared the historical record for the longest speech in Senate history, held since 1957 by Strom Thurmond of South Carolina, who spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes in opposition to civil rights legislation.
In 2013, Senator Ted Cruz set a significant precedent by speaking for over 21 hours against President Barack Obama’s healthcare reform.
During the initial phase of his address, Booker condemned the actions taken by the Trump administration.
He asserted that in only 71 days, the president had caused considerable damage to the security and financial stability of Americans, as well as to the foundational tenets of democracy.
He emphasized, "These are not normal times in the United States," conveying a sense of urgency and rallying the public against Republican policies.
By Tuesday afternoon, as Booker continued to speak with visible fatigue and a strained voice, he reiterated calls for American citizens to resist Republican actions and policies.
