Almost endless speeches are a common way to achieve minority positions in the US Senate. Now a senator has broken an old record with a more than 25-hour speech. The goal: a sign against Trump.
US Senator Cory Booker protested with a historic marathon speech in the Senate against President Donald Trump's policy. The 55-year-old ended his combative marathon address on Tuesday evening at 8:05 p.m. (local time; Wednesday 2.05 a.m. CEST) after a record time of 25 hours and five minutes. The senator has broken the record for the longest speech in the Senate from the past century.
With his so -called filibuster, he would continue as long as he was physically able, the Democrat had announced at the start of his speech on Monday.
With a speaking time, Booker spoke 47 minutes longer than the previous Record holder Strom Thurmond. “I don't have that much petrol in the tank anymore,” he said shortly before. The speech held by Thurmond in 1957 took 24 hours and 18 minutes. At that time, the right -wing Senator tried to block a civil rights law for African Americans.
“No normal times”
“I'm rising this evening because I honestly believe that our country is in a crisis,” said Booker at the beginning of his speech. These are not normal times. “And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate. The threats to the American people and American democracy are serious and urgent, and we all have to do more to counter them.”
On Tuesday, the Senator already looked visibly exhausted and sometimes leaned against the desk, while among other things he addressed the cuts that drives the Department of Government Efficiency by Trump consultant Elon Musk. The senator and former presidential applicant criticized the radical cuts of the state apparatus with the dismissal of thousands of public service.
Booker also accused Trump of tearing more and more power and endangering US democracy. He spoke of a constitutional approach of Trump. “In just 71 days, the President of the United States has caused so much damage to the basics of our democracy,” said the democratic senator, who represents the state of New Jersey in the Congress Chamber in just 71 days.
The United States was at a crucial moment of moral decisions. “It's not about left or right. It's about right or wrong,” Booker appealed to the Senate.
Tens of thousands followed the speech live
Booker showed remarkable stamina in his speech: In order not to lose the right to speak, he had to stop continuously and was not even allowed to go to the toilet.
While the hours passed, the senator only seemed to have a few glasses of water as a refreshment. And yet he put more and more emotions in his voice. Members of the Black Congress Member group stood on the edge of the plenary and cheered him on. In the afternoon, tens of thousands of people followed the YouTube page Bookers and other live streams from the constant speech.
Democratic colleagues gave Booker speech breaks by asking intermediate questions while Booker was able to protect his vocal cords. “Your strength, bravery and her clarity are just amazing, and all of America listens to what you say,” said democratic minority leader Chuck Schumer when he asked Booker.
The latter said he would accept questions, but kept the word in the Senate. Among other things, he read letters from voters who criticized Trump's annexation threats towards Canada and Greenland and warned of a constitutional crisis.
Shake US democrats
Debates in the Senate can only be ended with a majority of 60 of the 100 votes. As long as this does not happen, Senate members can practically block the progress of the voting process with constant speeches.
As a rule, the threat of a permanent speech is sufficient to bring the majority to steer. In this regard, Booker's speech fell out of the filibuster frame because it was not directed against any specific law.
Rather, Booker wanted to set a sign against Trump's politics and probably also shaken his party. Many supporters of the Democrats accuse the opposition party not to counteract Trump and his politics. In view of the flood of measures, announcements and targeted crossing of border by the President, the Democrats often seem paralyzed.
