On April 7, Cory Booker, a senator for the State of New Jersey, began his filibuster that lasted until the next day with the help of other Democrats. His 25-hour and five-minute marathon of a speech set Democrats in the right direction and put all Democrats in the right position for the race that is American politics.
Booker’s filibuster began in order to go against the actions of President Donald Trump. Booker’s filibuster was later proven to not technically be a filibuster, since the real definition of a filibuster is a “loosely defined term for action designed to prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote on a bill, resolution, amendment, or other debatable question” according to the United States Senate. Filibuster or not, Booker spoke up for the often silenced Democratic Party.
Not only did Booker shake the media by speaking for 25 hours, but he also broke the record for the longest Senate speech. The record was previously held by Sen. Strom Thurmond, who argued for 24 hours against the Civil Rights Act of 1957. Booker claimed it always upset him that Thurmond held the record. Booker was not trying to break this record for bragging rights, but to put himself above a racist speech and to show Americans what is happening to our government. He took the chance to speak up for all the Democrats who have not been able to successfully get their message across; for all the people like him on the senate floor.
Booker’s powerful speech gave hope to the Democratic Party. Democrats are often seen as sensitive and made to look weak. While yes, many times Democrats are scared to speak up, in reality, they are often argued with or censored for trying to speak out. For example, Democrat Al Green was recently censored while trying to speak out against Donald Trump’s address to the nation. Democrats being spoken over and directly is not a rare occurrence. At presidential debates, debates during working sessions with governors, and so on.
The Democratic party has desperately needed a new voice since the tough electoral loss in November. Bookerspoke out about the issues our country is dealing with and the need to grasp any bit of democracy we have left, “I rise tonight because I believe, sincerely, that our country is in crisis,” Booker pleaded during his speech. He did not blame democracy’s sudden demise on the Republican party but on President Trump. “Republicans, as well as Democrats, are talking to me about what they feel as a sense of dread about a growing crisis, or what they point to about what is going wrong,” Booker said during his record-setting speech.
His speech highlighted the acts the president has taken to devalue our country. By addressing things such as the current state of the United States economy and social security, he points out to all on the senate floor what is happening right before our eyes. His fear for the future is the one question of “Where were you? Where were you when our country was in crisis and when American people were asking for help? Help me. Help me,” Booker exclaimed.
Booker pointed out to all Americans the only finish line at the end of this race of a presidency will soon cross is to the end of our democracy.
