Booker criticizes Trump, Democrats in record-breaking Senate speech

• Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey broke the record for the longest Senate speech after he held the floor for just over 25 hours. His remarks, which began Monday evening and ended Tuesday night, criticized President Trump’s policies on issues like cost of living, deportations and tariffs.
• Booker also referenced Strom Thurmond’s 1957 filibuster, which previously held the record.
• During his record-breaking speech, which ended with a standing ovation, Booker called for new leadership and admitted past mistakes in the Democratic Party.

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Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., broke the record for the longest Senate speech after he held the floor for just over 25 hours. The marathon speech, which criticized President Donald Trump and his administration’s policies, began Monday evening, March 31, and wrapped up Tuesday night.

Booker, 55, addressed a variety of issues during his lengthy remarks. They include the cost of living, deportations, tariffs, healthcare, workforce reductions, and other policy changes under the Trump administration.

“This is a vision of doing great things again, of building housing, of redeeming the American dream,” Booker said. “But to have a president that is dead set on the next four years –– to do the kinds of things that you made a litany of and now, tomorrow, is gonna bring tariffs that are gonna raise the price even more of housing is outrageous. Where are his promises to make this country more affordable and more accessible?”

Booker addresses previously held Senate speech record

Before Booker set the new Senate speech record, then-Sen. Strom Thurmond held the record, who filibustered against the 1957 Civil Rights Act in an attempt to block its passage. Thurmond’s filibuster lasted 24 hours and 18 minutes, according to the Senate’s official website.

Just before breaking Thurmond’s record, Booker referenced the former senator.

“There’s a room here in the Senate named after Strom Thurmond. To hate him is wrong,” Booker said. “And maybe my ego got too caught up, and if I stood here, maybe, maybe, just maybe, I could break this record of a man who tried to stop the rights upon which I stand. I’m not here, though, because of a speech; I’m here despite his speech. I’m here because, as powerful as he was, the people are more powerful.”

Booker takes the Democratic Party to task

Booker’s speech also served as an opportunity for the Democratic Party to highlight its values. Following the loss of the White House, Senate and House in November, the Democratic Party’s approval rating sits at just 21%, according to CNN. Democrats have been searching for a leader to rally behind.

Booker encouraged new leadership to emerge — leaders who want to unite the country and strive for better. He made it clear that he was not referring to senators but rather citizens.

At one point during his speech, Booker made a confession.

“I confess that I have been imperfect; I confess that I’ve been inadequate to the moment. I confess that the Democratic Party has made terrible mistakes that gave a lane to this demagogue; I confess we all must look in the mirror and say, ‘We will do better.'”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., asked Booker if he would yield for a question.

“Chuck Schumer, it’s the only time in my life I can tell you no,” Booker said, drawing laughter from fellow senators.

“I just wanted to tell you a question: Do you know you have just broken the record? Do you know how proud this caucus is of you? Do you know how proud America is of you?” Schumer asked.

When the speech finally concluded, Booker received a standing ovation from his Democratic colleagues.