about Sen. Booker's filibuster

It's no secret — the American people have been feeling let down and even betrayed by the tepid (that's putting it mildly) response from Democrats in Congress to what Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and MAGA Republicans are doing to our country.

Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey just did his part to — in his own words — "ignite this movement" with a historic, record-setting speech in the Senate that lasted for 25 hours and 4 minutes.

Holding the floor of the Senate for over 25 hours is no small feat. The senator must talk almost non-stop. They can't take a break, not even to use the restroom, which means virtually nothing to eat or drink. And they must remain standing the entire time.

Think about it: Could you stand up for 25 hours straight, talking essentially the whole time, with just a few ounces of water to keep you going, and never once need to go to the bathroom?

It is worth noting that Senator Booker outlasted, by 46 minutes, the previous record — set in 1957 by the infamous segregationist Strom Thurmond in a filibuster against the landmark Civil Rights Act.

Whenever some senator sets out to do something like this, the rules and practicalities can overshadow what they are actually talking about. We don't want to do that.

Senator Booker talked for a long time about a lot of things. These were some of his key messages that are worth amplifying:

• Donald Trump is a unique threat to the United States of America and the Constitution.

• The reckless actions of Donald Trump and Elon Musk are going to have — are already having — dire impacts on people in this country and around the world.

• Everyday Americans are speaking up. Booker read comments from constituents about how Trump's actions are already harming them and about their fears for what's to come.

• America has a history of overcoming reactionary forces. Again and again, Booker referenced the late civil rights icon, Rep. John Lewis, as a paragon of how we must summon courage in hard times to fight for justice.

None of this is to let Democrats off the hook for what has been an inadequate pushback thus far. Indeed, Senator Booker criticized himself and his party for not doing enough.

But what Senator Booker did is inspiring. And meaningful. And exactly the kind of outside-the-box action that we need much more of from our elected leaders even as the rest of us do whatever we can to fight the Trump/Musk/DOGE/MAGA onslaught.

Join Public Citizen in a message for Senator Cory Booker and all congressional Democrats:

A sincere thanks to Senator Booker for your initiative, stamina, and message. We urge all Democrats in Congress to take inspiration from the senator's historic speech. This is no time for self-congratulation. Make this a springboard to greater resolve, to substantive action, to unwavering courage, to genuine leadership in the face of Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and your MAGA colleagues in Congress.

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Thanks for taking action.

For progress,

- Robert Weissman & Lisa Gilbert, Co-Presidents of Public Citizen
 
 
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