WASHINGTON — As morning alarms roused people on the East Coast for their workdays, Sen. Cory Booker still hadn't returned home from the night before. Instead, he was delivering a marathon overnight speech on the Senate floor — one that was still going Tuesday afternoon after 17 hours.
Booker's speech comes as Democratic lawmakers have faced pressure from their constituents to respond more forcefully to the Trump administration's sweeping policy changes, including massive cuts to the federal workforce, ramped-up deportations and sweeping tariffs.
"Twelve hours now I'm standing, and I'm still going strong because this president is wrong, and he's violating principles that we hold dear and principles in this document that are so clear and plain," Booker, D-N.J., said around 7 a.m., holding up a copy of the Constitution.
He got a brief break at noon, when the Senate chaplain led a daily prayer. Booker then resumed speaking.
The senator took the floor at 7 p.m. Monday, announcing that he intended to disrupt "the normal business of the United States Senate for as long as I am physically able."
“I rise tonight because I believe sincerely that our country is in crisis,” Booker said.
In the hours that followed, he painted his speech as a warning over the "grave and urgent" threat Americans faced from the Trump administration, arguing that "bedrock commitments" to the country "are being broken."
"Unnecessary hardships are being borne by Americans of all backgrounds, and institutions which are special in America, which are precious, which are unique in our country, are being recklessly — and I would say even unconstitutionally — affected, attacked and even shattered," he said.
White House spokespersons did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Booker has remained standing and has not left the floor for a bathroom break during his entire speech because he would lose control of the Senate floor if he leaves his desk or sits down. He has been joined by other Democratic senators who have chimed in to speak and ask questions while Booker retained control of the floor — giving his voice a rest.
The lawmakers have highlighted their own criticisms of the Trump administration, laying out the impact of President Donald Trump's first few months in office and asking Booker for his perspective.
As of early Tuesday morning, Booker's speech was not having an impact on floor consideration of any bills or nominations. But depending on how long he continues, his remarks could affect Senate business. The chamber is expected to vote Tuesday on Matthew Whitaker’s nomination to be the U.S. ambassador to NATO, though that timing will likely depend on whether Booker's speech pushes past 10 a.m., when the Senate typically convenes.
During his remarks, Booker shared letters from constituents and read news articles. He spoke about Rep. John Lewis, the civil rights icon who died in 2020, calling him "one of my greatest heroes of life."
"I start tonight thinking about him; I've been thinking about him a lot during these last 71 days. 'Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, help redeem the soul of America,'" Booker said, invoking Lewis' words. "And had to ask myself, if he's my hero, how am I living up to his words?"
Booker added that he was delivering the speech "with the intention of getting in some 'good trouble.'"
NAACP President Derrick Johnson praised Booker's efforts in a statement.
“The darkest times call on all of us to be courageous, and that is what Cory Booker is doing," Johnson said.
"To all elected officials in Congress: The constitution provides you with tools to remove Donald Trump or at the very least slow him down," he added. "Use those tools before it is too late."
Long speeches have put the national spotlight on other senators. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, spoke for nearly 21 hours and 19 minutes to oppose the Affordable Care Act in 2013. Three years earlier, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., delivered an 8 1/2-hour speech that is often credited with raising his political profile.
The record for the longest Senate speech is held by Sen. Strom Thurmond, a South Carolina segregationist who spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes in opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1957. Thurmond was a Democrat at the time but changed his party affiliation to Republican in 1964.
As of noon, Booker's speech was the sixth longest in history.
This is Booker's first time leading a marathon speech, though he joined Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., for that senator's nearly 15-hour filibuster to advocate for gun control in 2016.
