Moderate Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) praised her colleague Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) for achieving a new milestone with the Senate’s longest floor speech on Tuesday.
“For more than 24 hours, regardless of personal opinions, it’s a true representation of what a filibuster looks like,” Murkowski noted in a post on X shortly after Booker established his record.
“Kudos to @senbooker for his remarkable achievement (as I stepped in!),” she stated.
Booker, the Senate’s fourth Democrat, set the record at 7 PM on Monday, speaking continuously for 25 hours before concluding at 8:05 PM on Tuesday.
This newly set record surpassed the previous mark of 24 hours and 18 minutes established by former Senator Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.), who engaged in a filibuster against the Civil Rights Act of 1957.
Throughout his extended speech, Booker criticized potential GOP reductions in spending related to the upcoming tax legislation and policies from the Trump administration.
During his address, Booker was required to remain standing and was not allowed to step away from his desk. His chair was removed by a colleague, New Jersey Democrat, ensuring he would not be tempted to sit as claimed by Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.).
Booker received assistance from numerous Democratic colleagues who came to the floor to engage with him and ask questions.
A brief intermission was granted around noon on Tuesday to allow for the Senate to conduct opening prayers. Senate Chaplain Barry Black recognized the efforts of those involved, particularly the staff on the Senate floor, Capitol police, stenographers, and pages who had worked “throughout the night.”
However, it was Booker who dominated the floor time, declaring his readiness to endure as many hours as necessary.
