In a dramatic and historic display of political defiance, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) delivered a 25-hour and 5-minute speech on the Senate floor, setting a new record for the longest continuous address in U.S. Senate history. The speech, which began at 7:00 p.m. on March 31 and concluded just after 8:00 p.m. on April 1, was Booker’s symbolic protest against what he called a “crisis of conscience” in American democracy.
Booker’s address was aimed at drawing national attention to the lingering influence of President Donald Trump and what the senator described as ongoing Republican efforts to undermine key democratic institutions, social programs and civil rights protections. While not a formal filibuster intended to block legislation, the speech served as a platform for Booker to call out policies he says threaten the nation’s foundational values.
“This is about the future of our country, our democracy and the values that unite us as Americans,” Booker declared early in the speech. “We cannot be silent when so much is at stake.”
The senator’s speech broke the previous record of 24 hours and 18 minutes held by the late Senator Strom Thurmond, who infamously spoke at length in 1957 in an effort to block the Civil Rights Act. Booker, the first Black senator from New Jersey, made a point of referencing that historical context.
“It’s time to replace that legacy with one that speaks to justice, not obstruction,” he said, adding that the Senate should be a place where history is made for the right reasons.
Booker’s remarks spanned a wide array of topics, including the rollback of environmental protections, attacks on voting rights, proposed cuts to Medicaid and Social Security and what he called the “politicization of truth.” He read aloud from letters sent by constituents, shared quotes from civil rights leaders, and cited reports on the growing threat of domestic extremism and anti-democratic movements across the country.
In preparation for the speech, Booker followed a strict fasting regimen and limited his water intake to reduce the need for bathroom breaks. His staff prepared over 1,100 pages of material, including policy briefs, historical speeches, court opinions and personal stories from everyday Americans affected by recent policies. Colleagues noted that his discipline and focus reflected not only physical endurance but deep emotional investment in the issues at hand.
Public reaction was swift. Supporters praised Booker for his stamina and moral clarity, with many taking to social media to show their support using the hashtag #BookerFilibuster. Political analysts noted that while the speech may not have changed any votes in the Senate, it succeeded in capturing public attention at a critical political moment, elevating Booker’s national profile and energizing progressive voters.
Critics, however, dismissed the speech as political theater. \
Still, Booker’s effort resonated with many Americans who see the current political climate as one demanding bold, unapologetic action. As he closed his speech, visibly exhausted but composed, Booker quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., saying, “The time is always right to do what is right.”
In setting a new Senate record, Senator Booker sought not just to speak at length—but to speak with purpose. And in doing so, he made a powerful statement about the kind of leadership he believes the moment demands.
