Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), a failed presidential candidate famous for his “Spartacus” moment, made history on Wednesday with his remarks on the Senate floor criticizing President Donald Trump’s policies.

The speech began at roughly 7 p.m. ET on Monday and kept going through the night and into Tuesday. At times, other Democrats gave Booker a small reprieve when they asked him questions.

By 7:18 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Booker broke the record held by the late Strom Thurmond from South Carolina, which was 24 hours and 18 minutes with a filibuster against the 1957 Civil Rights Act.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) asked Booker if he realized that he just broke the record. The top Democrat also noted that their caucus and America were “proud” of Booker.

Booker, who snagged a tissue and wiped his forehead, silently took in the moment as people in the room cheered and applauded. Moments earlier, Booker noted he was there “despite” Thurmond’s speech.

The stunt comes as Democrats face low approval ratings and Schumer grapples with a crisis of confidence after he refused to vote in favor of blocking a GOP-backed bill to avert a partial government shutdown.

Democrats claimed the speech a “filibuster,” but The New York Times reported that Booker’s remarks did not qualify as one because it did not come during a debate on a bill or nominee.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who delivered a filibuster of 21 hours and 19 minutes against Obamacare in 2013, cheekily responded with an emoji of Homer Simpson crying when Booker passed his mark.

It got rough for Booker at times. Just before 10 a.m. ET on Tuesday, the senator nearly cut short his remarks when he quickly corrected himself after saying he yielded the floor for a colleague.

While the marathon anti-Trump speech took place, some of Booker’s Republican colleagues took swipes at him. “Is anyone listening?” Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) asked on X after Booker hit 13 hours.

The White House also got in a jab. A spokesman said Booker was “looking for another ‘I am Spartacus’ moment” after his high-profile speech in 2018 failed to derail Brett Kavanaugh’s rise to the Supreme Court.

Booker ended his speech at 8:04 p.m. ET on Tuesday, meaning the remarks lasted 25 hours and four minutes. After breaking the record, the senator quipped about needing a restroom break.

“Do I look that bad? Alright, I want to go a little bit past this, and then I’m going to deal with some of the biological urgencies I’m feeling,” Booker said, eliciting some laughter in the room.

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Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), a failed presidential candidate famous for his “Spartacus” moment, made history on Wednesday with his remarks on the Senate floor criticizing President Donald Trump’s policies.

The speech began at roughly 7 p.m. ET on Monday and kept going through the night and into Tuesday. At times, other Democrats gave Booker a small reprieve when they asked him questions.

By 7:18 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Booker broke the record held by the late Strom Thurmond from South Carolina, which was 24 hours and 18 minutes with a filibuster against the 1957 Civil Rights Act.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) asked Booker if he realized that he just broke the record. The top Democrat also noted that their caucus and America were “proud” of Booker.

Booker, who snagged a tissue and wiped his forehead, silently took in the moment as people in the room cheered and applauded. Moments earlier, Booker noted he was there “despite” Thurmond’s speech.

The stunt comes as Democrats face low approval ratings and Schumer grapples with a crisis of confidence after he refused to vote in favor of blocking a GOP-backed bill to avert a partial government shutdown.

Democrats claimed the speech a “filibuster,” but The New York Times reported that Booker’s remarks did not qualify as one because it did not come during a debate on a bill or nominee.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who delivered a filibuster of 21 hours and 19 minutes against Obamacare in 2013, cheekily responded with an emoji of Homer Simpson crying when Booker passed his mark.

It got rough for Booker at times. Just before 10 a.m. ET on Tuesday, the senator nearly cut short his remarks when he quickly corrected himself after saying he yielded the floor for a colleague.

While the marathon anti-Trump speech took place, some of Booker’s Republican colleagues took swipes at him. “Is anyone listening?” Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) asked on X after Booker hit 13 hours.

The White House also got in a jab. A spokesman said Booker was “looking for another ‘I am Spartacus’ moment” after his high-profile speech in 2018 failed to derail Brett Kavanaugh’s rise to the Supreme Court.

Booker ended his speech at 8:04 p.m. ET on Tuesday, meaning the remarks lasted 25 hours and four minutes. After breaking the record, the senator quipped about needing a restroom break.

“Do I look that bad? Alright, I want to go a little bit past this, and then I’m going to deal with some of the biological urgencies I’m feeling,” Booker said, eliciting some laughter in the room.

“}]] 

 

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