On April 1, 2025 Cory Booker, a Senior United States Senator from New Jersey, a seat Booker has held since 2013, broke a record for the longest filibuster (25 hours and 5 minutes). A filibuster is a, “legislative tactic, primarily in the U.S. Senate, where a minority of senators uses prolonged debate or other procedural delays to block or slow down a vote on a bill, resolution, or other measure, for “cloture” to end the debate and force a vote.” The vote Booker delayed was the confirmation vote for Matthew Whitaker as U.S. Ambassador to NATO.
Strom Thurmond previously held the longest filibuster in 1957, the topic being about the prevention of the Civil Rights act. Booker spoke about the changes democracy is facing, amplifying the Civil Rights movement and its icons. “When he began his remarks Monday night, the New Jersey Democrat said that he was holding the floor in the spirit of the late John Lewis, a civil rights icon and longtime US congressman.” (CNN politics)
Booker demonstrated his opinion on Donald Trump’s actions, (the planned tariffs and the plans to cut federal bureaucracy) since his return to the white house (January 20, 2025), and the upcoming changes for America’s democracy. “In just 71 days, the president of the United States has inflicted so much harm on Americans’ safety; financial stability; the core foundations of our democracy.” (CNN Politics) Booker expressed,“These are not normal times in America. And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate.”
Near the end of the filibuster, Booker thanked Senator Murphy for listening and staying the whole 25 hours and thanked his democrat colleagues for their participation that night. Booker received a standing ovation for his dedication and emotion Booker showed proving his passion in the topic and the future of America.
