More than 25 hours against Trump: Senator breaks record
At 7:19 p.m. (local time), the democratic minority leader in the US Senate, Chuck Schumer, turns to his party colleague Cory Booker: « Do you know that you have just broken a record? » In the stands of the audience, which are unusually well filled for an ordinary Tuesday evening, applause gives up, there is a standing ovation.
Senator Booker, who represents the state of New Jersey, has just written a piece of congress history with his blazing speech against the government policy of President Donald Trump: with 24 hours and 19 minutes he gives the longest documented speech in the history of the US Senate. On Monday evening at 7 p.m. (local time) he stepped on to the speaker desk – and even after reaching the decades -old records, he continues. It is only after 25 hours and five minutes. Booker is to be seen.
In order to keep the memorable marathon through without a toilet walk, he previously fasted for days, Booker says according to the US media of a group of reporters after the speech. « I think I stopped eating on Friday and then drinking the evening before the start on Monday. That had its advantages, but also his real dark sides, » Booker was quoted. In the many hours at the desk he had muscle cramps and spasms.
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« These are not normal times »
With his effort, Booker is protesting against Trump’s radical savings course and his Republicans. Already at the beginning of his speech, the Democrat announces that he would « disturb the normal business of the United States Senate as long as I am physically able ». He receives support from party colleagues who keep asking him questions – a common practice in the Senate to give the speaker short breaks and formally extend the speaking time.
« These are not normal times, » Booker recalls his listeners. « And they shouldn’t be handled as such. » Within just 71 days, Trump had caused great damage to the Americans – with regard to their security, their financial stability, the basic pillars of democracy and even the common hope that and in particular people in the highest offices, a minimum level of decency maintain.
Tosing applause – and perplexed looks
The closer the record marks, the more senators of the democratic faction appear in the plenary – alongside minority leaders Schumer and his party colleagues Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar, the left Senator Bernie Sanders is also there. When the applause finally breaks off, some of them have tears in their eyes. At this point there is more or less yawning emptiness on the Republican side of the parliamentary chamber. Only Cynthia Lummis, Republican from Wyoming, stands in her place, smiles and claps.
Applause from the Republican camp for a democrat – this is a rare picture in these times. In the past, Lummis and Booker have worked together in non -partisan legislation.
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There are also remarkable things in the spectator stands: some tourists who visit the Capitol will randomly witness the historical moment. Three visitors to sports clothes remain conspicuously motionless during Booker’s speech, never clap and look grim. When the hall, which was also filled with supporters, finally applauded closed, they look at themselves at first – and then get up and clap.
Record speech is circulating online
Among other things, the speech is transferred live to Booker’s YouTube channel-the political stunt quickly turns the round on social media. On Tuesday afternoon, around 50,000 people follow the live stream, and this number has more than doubled by the evening: more than 110,000 spectators are there at this time.
According to the rules of the Congress Chamber, a senator may speak as long as he wants – as long as the word is not withdrawn and no special restrictions on the debate apply. He has to stand continuously and may only comment with minimal interruptions.
Despite her remarkable length, Booker’s speech does not fulfill the formal criteria of a so -called filibuster – the delay tactics with which legal projects can be blocked by excessive contributions. Because his speech does not take place as part of a specific debate about a law or personnel.
No pumpernickel, no makeshift toilet – Booker pulls through
In 1957 Senator Strom Tamond had set the previous record with 24 hours and 18 minutes – in protest against the Civil Rights Act. According to the US media, he was strengthened with pumpernickel, hamburg snacks and orange juice. A bucket in a back room is said to have served him as an improvised toilet.
Booker does not fall back on such a makeshift solution this time. Shortly after he broke Thurmond’s record, he points out that he will soon have to take care of « biological urgent ».
