Senator Cory Booker Sets New Record With 25-Hour Filibuster Against Trump Policies
- paolo bibat
- Apr 2
- 3 min read
Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) made history on April 1, 2025, by delivering the longest continuous speech ever recorded in the U.S. Senate—lasting an astonishing 25 hours and 5 minutes. The marathon address shattered the previous record of 24 hours and 18 minutes, set by Senator Strom Thurmond in 1957 during opposition to the Civil Rights Act.
Booker used the extended filibuster to deliver a sweeping critique of the Trump administration’s policies, arguing they disproportionately harm vulnerable Americans. His speech touched on key issues including healthcare access, Medicaid funding, and the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths in U.S. history.
A Marathon Speech With a Mission
The New Jersey senator began speaking shortly after 9 a.m. on Monday and continued uninterrupted until 10:05 a.m. on Tuesday, breaking Thurmond’s decades-old record just before noon. Unlike Thurmond’s segregationist-driven filibuster, Booker framed his speech as a moral stand against policies he claims "prioritize power over people."
-Healthcare & Medicaid: Booker warned that proposed cuts would "gut protections for millions" of low-income families and seniors.
- Historical Honesty: He condemned efforts to "whitewash America’s past," urging lawmakers to confront systemic injustices rather than erase them from education.
- Economic Inequality: The speech also highlighted growing wealth gaps, tying them to recent tax and trade policies.
Political Reactions & What Comes Next
Republicans dismissed the filibuster as "political theater," while progressive Democrats hailed it as a bold defense of democratic values. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised Booker’s endurance, calling Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) made history on April 1, 2025, by delivering the longest continuous speech ever recorded in the U.S. Senate—lasting an astonishing 25 hours and 5 minutes. The marathon address shattered the previous record of 24 hours and 18 minutes, set by Senator Strom Thurmond in 1957 during opposition to the Civil Rights Act.
Booker used the extended filibuster to deliver a sweeping critique of the Trump administration’s policies, arguing they disproportionately harm vulnerable Americans. His speech touched on key issues including healthcare access, Medicaid funding, and the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths in U.S. history.
A Marathon Speech With a Mission
The New Jersey senator began speaking shortly after 9 a.m. on Monday and continued uninterrupted until 10:05 a.m. on Tuesday, breaking Thurmond’s decades-old record just before noon. Unlike Thurmond’s segregationist-driven filibuster, Booker framed his speech as a moral stand against policies he claims "prioritize power over people."
- Healthcare & Medicaid: Booker warned that proposed cuts would "gut protections for millions" of low-income families and seniors.
- Historical Honesty: He condemned efforts to "whitewash America’s past," urging lawmakers to confront systemic injustices rather than erase them from education.
- Economic Inequality: The speech also highlighted growing wealth gaps, tying them to recent tax and trade policies.
Political Reactions & What Comes Next
Republicans dismissed the filibuster as "political theater," while progressive Democrats hailed it as a bold defense of democratic values. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised Booker’s endurance, calling it "a testament to the urgency of this moment."
Though the speech itself doesn’t directly block legislation, it amplifies pressure on the Biden administration and Congress to address Booker’s concerns—particularly as the 2026 midterms loom. Political analysts suggest the move could position Booker as a leading progressive voice ahead of a potential future presidential run.
A New Chapter in Senate History
Beyond the policy debates, Booker’s record-breaking filibuster redefines modern political protest in an era of soundbites and social media. By reviving an old-school tactic, he forced Washington—and the nation—to pause and listen.
Whether this leads to legislative action or simply becomes a symbolic moment, one thing is clear: Cory Booker just etched his name into the history books. "a testament to the urgency of this moment."
Though the speech itself doesn’t directly block legislation, it amplifies pressure on the Biden administration and Congress to address Booker’s concerns—particularly as the 2026 midterms loom. Political analysts suggest the move could position Booker as a leading progressive voice ahead of a potential future presidential run.
A New Chapter in Senate History
Beyond the policy debates, Booker’s record-breaking filibuster redefines modern political protest in an era of soundbites and social media. By reviving an old-school tactic, he forced Washington—and the nation—to pause and listen.
Whether this leads to legislative action or simply becomes a symbolic moment, one thing is clear: Cory Booker just etched his name into the history books.
