Senator Cory Booker delivers a speech on the Senate floor on Monday, March 31. Senate TV
Senator Cory Booker from New Jersey gave a powerful, all-night speech in the Senate, protesting President Donald Trump’s actions. Starting at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, March 31, Booker spoke for hours, intending to keep going "as long as I am physically able." This speech came at a time when many Democrats were feeling pressure to stand up more against Trump’s administration. Booker, a member of the Senate Democratic leadership, has always been a strong voice for his party.
As of midnight, Booker had not stopped speaking, addressing a wide range of issues. He began by saying, "I rise with the intention of disrupting the normal business of the United States Senate for as long as I am physically able." He emphasized that the country is in a crisis and things cannot continue as they have been.
Booker criticized Trump for the harm he believed the president was causing to Americans in just a short amount of time. “In just 71 days, the president of the United States has inflicted so much harm on Americans’ safety, financial stability, and the core foundations of our democracy,” Booker stated. He argued that these times are far from normal and must not be treated as such.
Booker’s speech was not a filibuster, which usually blocks bills or nominations. Instead, his speech kept the Senate floor open. This meant the Senate staff and the Capitol Police had to keep working while Booker spoke. However, the Senate had already finished voting for the day before Booker started his remarks.
A major issue Booker addressed was the possible cuts to Medicaid, which would negatively affect millions of Americans, including his own constituents. Although Republicans claimed they would not cut Medicaid, they proposed cuts to other programs, without specifying exactly which ones. Booker warned that these cuts would hurt vulnerable populations.
At one point, Booker honored the late Republican Senator John McCain. McCain was known for his health care vote in 2017, which helped stop a Republican effort to dismantle health care. Booker compared McCain’s actions to what is happening now. "It is maddening in this country to create greater and greater health care crisis and for us not to solve it," Booker said passionately. “I know you would be screaming, John McCain. I’ve seen you tear people apart for doing the same stupid thing over and over again.”
During his speech, Booker also took a few breaks to answer questions from his Democratic colleagues. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer praised Booker for his strength and determination in speaking out about the harmful actions he believed would hurt the middle class, the poor, and the country overall.
Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester from Delaware also asked Booker questions. Booker mentioned how Blunt Rochester had prayed with him before he started speaking, asking for strength. Booker compared his efforts to “John Lewis-type good trouble,” a reference to the late civil rights leader who fought for justice.
Booker’s marathon speech is one of several by senators in recent years. Senators like Jeff Merkley, Chris Murphy, and Ted Cruz have all given long speeches on issues they cared about. However, the longest Senate speech on record was by Strom Thurmond, who spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes to oppose the Civil Rights Act of 1957.
