Filibusters have been a longstanding tool for Congress; they are prolonged debates and delays to prevent a vote on a bill, resolution, or amendment. The longest filibuster in American History was conducted by Strom Thurmond to delay the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1957, concluding on Aug. 29 after speaking for 24 hours and 18 minutes. However, Cory Booker, the first African American U.S. Senator from New Jersey, set out to break that record.
On March 31, at 7 pm, Cory Booker set a new record for the longest speech delivered in the Senate after talking for a solid 25 hours and 5 minutes. He technically didn’t perform a filibuster. Since he technically wasn’t talking to eliminate a bill or law, his speech doesn’t count as a filibuster. Instead, Booker was making a speech against Trump and his agenda. In his speech, he recited letters and emails from people who claimed they had been heavily impacted by Trump’s presidency so far. While the chamber started mostly empty, he was later joined by his Democratic colleagues. His colleagues gave him breaks from his speech by asking him questions.
Booker told reporters that to prepare for his speech, he fasted and reduced his water intake in the days before. During his speech, his muscles began cramping as a result of dehydration.
“I think I stopped eating on Friday and then stopped drinking the night before I started on Monday,” Booker told CNN.
Throughout his speech, Booker sipped from two glasses of water and did not eat any food.
