Cory Booker, U.S. senator of New Jersey, stood on the Senate floor and delivered the longest speech in history since Strom Thurmond, beating 24 hours and 18 minutes with 25 hours and four minutes. The speech was finished on April 1st, at 8:06 p.m., according to the National Constitution Center.
Many are calling Booker’s speech a filibuster, but does it qualify as one? A filibuster is defined as an attempt to block or delay a vote of legislation or confirmation. However, Senator Cory Booker’s speech may not qualify as such. The National Constitution Center states, “However, since the Senate had invoked cloture, Booker could not block or obstruct the vote on Whitaker’s nomination from happening, which is one of the key goals of any filibuster.” Despite this, Booker still leaves America with an important message about upholding American values, democracy serving as the largest example of what values are being threatened.
Cory Booker’s speech addressed and criticized Donald Trump and his administration, expressing how President Trump and Elon Musk have neglected democracy. Many subject matters were discussed, such as economic concerns, social security, immigration, foreign policy, public education, and free speech. Booker describes Trump and his administration’s policies as “a complete disregard for the rule of law, the constitution, and the needs of the American people.” With the economy at an all-time low, public education funding facing endangerment, cruel and unusual immigration tactics, and more, Booker’s speech resonated with many Democrats. Still, he states, “It starts with the people of the United States of America, that’s how this country started, we the people. This is a moral moment. It’s not left or right, it’s right or wrong.” Despite Senator Booker’s democratic stance, on the Senate floor he let everyone watching know that issues surrounding the Trump administration need to be tackled as a union, not a singular political party.
