Cory Booker Sets Senate Record with 25-hour Speech Opposing Trump Administration Policies

WASHINGTON D.C. — Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., delivered the longest continuous speech in Senate history this week, speaking for 25 hours and 5 minutes without sitting, eating or using the restroom in a record-breaking display of physical and political endurance. Beginning at 7 p.m. Monday, Booker remained on his feet until after 8 p.m. Tuesday to protest the early months of former President Donald Trump’s administration, calling it a “moral moment” for the country.

“My body is definitely going through it right now,” Booker told reporters after concluding the speech. “But my spirit is so high.”

The effort, punctuated by occasional questions from Democratic colleagues, surpassed the previous Senate floor record set in 1957 by Sen. Strom Thurmond, who filibustered against the Civil Rights Act for 24 hours and 18 minutes. Booker's decision to remain standing and forego all physical necessities pushed the limits of human capability, raising both admiration and concern from medical professionals.

“Being able to deliver such a lengthy speech, without any sort of break, is an amazing physical feat, absolutely,” said Dr. Santina Wheat, a family medicine physician at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital. Medical experts noted the risks associated with extreme fasting, dehydration, and sleep deprivation. Booker fasted for days and stopped drinking water Sunday night to avoid bathroom breaks, leading to muscle cramping and elevated heart rate, according to his Oura fitness ring data.

Dr. Joseph Herrera of Mount Sinai Health System said prolonged standing without rest “puts pressure on the neck, knees, back and hips,” leading to potential soreness and balance issues. Dehydration further complicates standing for long periods by reducing blood circulation, increasing the chance of fainting or dizziness.

Booker reportedly took Motrin to manage muscle pain and rested only briefly on the lectern. Despite the exhaustion, he continued to speak with clarity and passion late into the night. “The body is weary in a lot of places, from my back to my feet and to my legs, I'm just feeling it,” Booker told NPR’s All Things Considered. “But my soul is soaring and I feel very blessed by the whole experience.”

During the speech, Booker emphasized opposition to potential cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, criticizing Republican budget proposals that he said would burden future generations. “In just 71 days, the president has inflicted harm after harm on Americans’ safety, financial stability, the foundations of our democracy and any sense of common decency,” Booker said during his remarks.

He argued for bipartisan engagement, noting that some Republicans quietly support his concerns. “I got a lot of hugs from my Republican colleagues,” Booker said. “They were happy to see me smash that record, even if they didn’t agree with all the points I made.”

Booker also referenced Martin Luther King Jr., urging action over silence. “What we have to repent for is not the vitriolic words and violent actions of the bad people, but the appalling silence and inaction of the good people,” he said.

The White House responded with criticism. “Cory Booker is looking for another ‘I am Spartacus’ moment,” said spokesperson Harrison Fields. “When will he realize he’s not Spartacus — he’s a spoof?”

Booker ended his speech by leaning on the lectern, smiling, and saying, “I yield the floor.”

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