Senator Cory Booker Holds the Senate Floor in Powerful Filibuster

A filibuster is a tactic used in the U.S. Senate to delay or block legislative action by extending debate on a proposal. Senators employing this strategy can deliver prolonged speeches, introduce numerous amendments, or utilize other means to prevent a vote. The term “filibuster” originates from a Dutch word meaning “freebooter” or pirate, reflecting its disruptive nature.

On March 31, 2025, at 7 p.m., Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey initiated a filibuster on the Senate floor. His continuous speech, which has extended beyond 12 hours, aims to protest what he describes as the “grave and urgent” dangers posed by President Donald Trump’s administration. Senator Booker has criticized policies such as budget cuts, efforts to abolish the Department of Education, and actions perceived as undermining democratic institutions. While previous filibusters have included book reading and other sometimes unrelated readings, Sen. Booker and his team put together a binder of relevant and poignant readings while walking through the policies currently harming and with the potential to harm Americans.

By engaging in this extended discourse, Senator Booker seeks to draw national attention to concerns about the administration’s direction and its impact on American democracy. His filibuster underscores the use of this Senate procedure as a form of political protest and a means to highlight critical issues facing the nation.

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