The New Jersey senator spent much of his speech, which ended more than 25 hours later, attacking the Trump administration, eclipsing Strom Thurmond's filibuster of the civil rights bill in 1957.
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Cory Booker delivers lengthy Senate speech
Sen. Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat, spoke for more than 25 hours, criticizing the Trump administration's policies on Social Security, education, health care and other areas.
“Senator from New Jersey.” “I just want to tell you what John Lewis said. A lot of people know this quote. He said, 'Get into good trouble, necessary trouble.' So I stand up today with the intent to get into good trouble. I stand up with the intent to disrupt the normal business of the United States Senate for as long as I am physically able. In just 71 days, the president of the United States has done so much damage to the security of Americans, to financial stability, to the basic foundations of our democracy, and even to our aspirations as a people — from our highest offices — to a sense of common decency. This is a moral moment. It's not left to right. It's right or wrong. Let's get into good trouble. My friend, Madam President, I yield the floor.”
Sen. Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat, spoke for more than 25 hours, criticizing the Trump administration's policies on Social Security, education, health care and more. Credit
Sen. Cory Booker, still raising his voice after a day of Senate testimony criticizing the Trump administration, surpassed Strom Thurmond's longest Senate speech on Tuesday night, showing remarkable stamina and calling it a call to action.
Mr. Booker, a New Jersey Democrat and former presidential candidate, began his speech at 7 p.m. Monday, vowing to speak for as long as he “physically can.” Demonstrating his physical and oratorical stamina, he lasted until sunset Tuesday, criticizing President Trump’s cuts to government agencies and crackdown on immigration.
He ended his speech at 8:05 p.m., 46 minutes after eclipsing Mr. Thurmond’s 24-hour, 18-minute filibuster of the 1957 civil rights bill. He ended by quoting John Lewis, the civil rights hero and congressman. Mr. Booker said of Lewis: “He told us to go out and cause some good trouble, necessary trouble, to redeem the soul of our nation. I want you to redeem the dream. Let’s be bold in America.”
Earlier, there were cheers in the room as Mr. Booker walked past Mr. Thurmond. For a moment, Mr. Booker turned to the man he had upstaged.
“It’s wrong to hate him, and maybe my ego was too inflated that if I had stood here, maybe, maybe, just maybe, I could have broken this record of a man who tried to stop the rights that I stand for,” Mr. Booker said. “But I’m not here because of his speech. I’m here in spite of his speech. I’m here because, as strong as he was, the people were stronger.”
Earlier, at 4:20 p.m., Mr. Booker took on Sen. Ted Cruz's memorable 21-hour, 19-minute speech about President Barack Obama's 2013 Affordable Care Act. As the hours ticked away on Tuesday and Mr. Booker continued to speak, tens of thousands of people watched his remarks live, curious to see how long he could go on.
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