Charles Hunt, an assistant professor in the political science department, recently wrote for The Conversation about United States Senator Cory Booker’s 25 hour speech given on the Senate floor.
Booker’s speech was a protest against President Donald Trump’s executive orders and policies, particularly related to Congress’s budgetary authority in light of recent cuts to federal staff, grants and spending. Booker stressed the importance of democracy and public involvement.
In the article, Hunt explains that Booker’s speech can’t be considered a filibuster because it wasn’t focused on delaying or stopping a specific legislative action. The speech critiqued the Trump administration broadly, referencing over 1,000 pages of prepared material and over 200 letters from constituents. Booker’s efforts claimed him a record for the longest floor speech in the history of the US Senate.