CHANGES HEADLINE, LEDE, DECK, ADDS MORE DETAILS
By Rabia Iclal Turan
WASHINGTON (AA) - US Senator Cory Booker broke a 68-year-old Senate record Tuesday with the longest speech in Senate history, speaking for over 25 hours to protest the policies of President Donald Trump.
The New Jersey Democrat took the floor at 7 p.m. ET (2300GMT) on Monday, vowing to "disrupt the normal business" of the Senate and highlight what he called the "grave and urgent" threats posed by Trump's administration.
At 7.18 p.m. (2318GMT) on Tuesday, Booker surpassed the previous record of 24 hours and 18 minutes set by the late Senator Strom Thurmond in 1957 during a filibuster against the Civil Rights Act. Booker continued speaking until 8.05 p.m., adding 48 minutes to the record.
In his remarks, he reflected on the historic significance of breaking Thurmond’s record, saying, “Maybe my ego got caught up that maybe, maybe, just maybe, I could break this record of the man who tried to stop the rights upon which I stand.”
“I’m not here, though, because of his speech. I’m here despite his speech," he added.
During the speech, Booker criticized the Trump administration’s handling of Medicaid, Social Security, education and other legislative priorities.
“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,” he said.
“These are not normal times in America. And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate.”
He also slammed the Republican Party’s legislative plans, including proposed cuts to Medicaid, and criticized Trump’s foreign policy, including his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
As Booker’s speech progressed, tens of thousands of viewers watched on social media platforms, showing the widespread support for his call to resist Trump’s policies.
"All of America is paying attention to what you’re saying," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told Booker.
Shortly after setting the record, Booker joked about needing a break to “deal with some of the biological urgencies I’m feeling.”