Senator Cory Bookers’ record-breaking speech
Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia Commons
Booker mentioned important topics such as, veteran care and climate change, that are not as widely present in the media, but of equal value.
On Apr. 1, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker made history with a 25-hour and five-minute speech given on the floor of the Senate. He was assisted by other Democrats, who asked questions during the speech to give his voice a rest. During this time, Booker took no breaks.
Booker is a Democratic senator who grew up in New Jersey. He advocates for changes in the justice system, food insecurity, poverty, and environmental issues.
Booker previously lost the 2020 Presidential Democratic Primary. Many believe that his speech has firmly solidified his leadership position in the party, especially amidst the party’s transition of its leadership figures.
His speech, which criticized the current Trump Administration, broke the record for the longest speech, previously set by Senator Strom Thurmond, who spoke for 24-hours and 18-minutes in opposition to the Civil Rights Act.
Booker’s introductory remarks included, “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…These are not normal times in our nation. And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate… I think we could not talk about the party and start talking about the people… I really think that we have got to start having a bolder vision of who we are as a country, not just about who were against as the other party." according to npr.org.
Many Americans are questioning the direction that the Republican party is taking, which Cory Booker referenced as a reason behind his historic speech. He stated, “A gathering like this can’t be the end of our activism… This has got to be a moment in America where all of us begin to say, what more can I do?”
Throughout his speech, he integrated letters from residents of New Jersey and other supportive Democratic party members. Some writers discussed the constitutional crisis in Trump’s thoughts on the status of Greenland and Canada.
Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic Leader, said, according to apnews.org, “Your strength, your fortitude, your clarity has just been nothing short of amazing and all of America is paying attention to what you’re saying… All of America needs to know there’s so many problems, the disastrous actions of this administration,” before asking Booker a question.
Speaking on the state of the environment, Booker said, "All Americans, regardless of where you're born, we deserve safe drinking water, clean air, and an equal opportunity for a healthy and fulfilling life. President Trump promised America the cleanest air and the cleanest water, but upon entering office, he immediately instructed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to cut a long list of common sense environmental protections."
Booker addressed topics such as pediatric cancer funding, Social Security, health insurance, media censorship, the justice system, immigration, climate change, and more. He urged the American people to take a stand and fight for justice.
When asked how he felt after giving the speech, Booker answered, "The body is weary in a lot of places, from my back to my feet and to my legs, I'm just feeling it," he continues, “But my soul is soaring and I feel very blessed by the whole experience.”