It’s nice to see the senate opposition functioning.
Edit: 18 hours of holding the senate floor, giving voice to the american people. Lots of tears as american suffering is read out loud for the congressional record. Testiment from Americans across the country. This is the voice of the people. Please click the link, share and watch. The media needs to know we care about the opposition more than we care about trump rambling on a plane about fort knox.
“Booker’s speech is not a filibuster because it is not blocking legislation or a nomination.” (archived)
Democrat Cory Booker’s marathon Senate floor speech, in which he is largely criticizing the Trump administration’s policies and spending cuts, has just passed the 12-hour mark.
The U.S. Senator from New Jersey has held the floor since about 7 p.m. ET on Monday, pausing only to take questions—and a breath—from Democrat allies.
He has so far largely targeted spending cuts, including efforts to dismantle the Department of Education, and the need for greater bipartizanship in Congress.
The 55-year-old has vowed to keep going “as long as I am physically able.”
Booker’s speech is not a filibuster because it is not blocking legislation or a nomination.
The New Jesey Senator is part of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s campaign strategy to focus on kitchen-table issues, including federal spending cuts, ahead of next year’s midterms.
Watch speech clips in the video above, and follow live footage and text updates below.
fil·i·bus·ter /ˈfiləˌbəstər/ noun 1. an action such as a prolonged speech that obstructs progress in a legislative assembly while not technically contravening the required procedures.
What progress was obstructed here? He started at 7 in the evening and went through the middle of the night, I doubt Republicans had plans to move some critical legislation at 3am.
It’s unbelievable. Nothing is ever the correct way to do things. People like you always complain without solutions or even a hint of what the fuck you want.
What should he have done instead? What was the correct move for Booker here? Let’s hear it.
It sounds like he would have done better to start at 7 AM, but I’ve not really looked into it.
I think it’s safe to assume he chose the time he did for a reason.
I’m sure he did, but I don’t know the reason, and the democrats have not impressed me with their brilliance recently.
Are all democrats the same?
So it could be purely performative and accomplish little?
I mean sure that could be the case. I didn’t say this was some slam dunk amazing move that’s going to move the needle in some obvious and substantial way.
Its just obstruction thats all. It’s an easy familiar legal move to obstruct the republicans adgenda. It’s a filibuster. We need to filibuster every bill, and when theres no bill we can filibuster more so no bills appear.
Every single minute of time taken away from the republican congress from passing laws for trump is good. It means no one can legislate, hopefully it continues for 2 years.
They haven’t been passing laws. All the bad shit they’ve been doing these last couple months has been through illegal executive orders. Congress NOT acting has been the problem.
So you don’t understand either, and are just assuming it’s the most effective way to go about it.
If I see a construction worker using a jackhammer on the side of the interstate, yes I assume they know what they’re doing until I see evidence to the contrary.
What if they’re doing it alone, in the middle of the night?
I’d hope you think that was strange at least.
Democrats have been demonstrating they don’t know what the fuck they’re doing to combat this fascist shut for decades now. The benefit of the doubt has passed.
Sure this was slightly better than rolling over, but this accomplished little
Dude, we all certainly understand this less than a sitting senator. Get off it.
Maybe 7pm is significant, maybe it isn’t, but we are sitting here from our toilets still wiping the sleep from our eyes while this guy is giving a speech for 12 hours. Can we stop pretending we have any clue?
He’s going for the 24 hour record clearly so start time was irrelevant. He probably had a good nap before it started.
There’s a level of servility in this comment that is just downright distasteful.
Hes going to break the longest filibuster record at 24+ hours so does it matter when he started?
It’s such a simple concept, everyones got an opinion without taking the time to think that a filibuster is just preventing anyone else from using the Senate floor. It generates headlines, 24 hours of bitching. if cable news isn’t playing this you need to share with your family and friends.
The whole point of this is prevent the government from passing laws, and airing the grievances of america.
Its truly inspirational, try watching instead of criticizing, then come back and say something related to the filibuster?
Not a filibuster
noun: filibuster; plural noun: filibusters
HOW IS THIS NOT A FILIBUSTER HOW IS THIS NOT A FILIBUSTER HOW IS THIS NOT A FILIBUSTER???
I think the argument I’m entertaining is that there is already not much business going on at 3AM.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad one of our leaders is showing a little spine, but he could afford to be a little more tactical about it.
My guy he has been speaking from 7 PM last night to 2PM today. He’s going to set the record for longest filibuster. I’m filled with hope and emotion listening to his words. He can barely stand after 19 hours on his feet and he’s still PLEADING FOR US.
What are you talking about? Thats a full day of the legislature. There are only like 500 days left in the term. LETS GOOOOOOOO
Good on him, then.
Honestly, even if I don’t understand why he did it that way, he’s at least doing something.
Not a filibuster
I think they’re just saying it isn’t a filibuster.
What does saying it’s not a filibuster do anyway? What makes that a worthwhile statement? Besides being false it’s gaslighting basic civic knowledge and opposition to authority.
The statement is just here to be disingenuous and keep interest away from the fact that someones doing something useful finally. A political strategy of opposition is born. Check it out! maybe someone filibusters after he steps down, and it continues for weeks.
It is a filibuster, a filibuster is just a long speech that prevents the senate from proceeding to its next activity. They are filibustering all bills that republicans are working on. all nominations.
legally, though, it’s not a filibuster, because filibusters can be ended by the senate and long-ass speeches can’t be :9
I love loopholes. So what you’re saying is it’s better than a filibuster because it can’t be shut down. So this is a positive trend where we can just hold the senate floor and read out letters from American citizens instead of voting to legalize trumps insanity?
Well if it can’t accomplish anything then it’s just grandstanding. Damn near everyone in that room is a millionaire. If what they do is all just for show, then maybe it means we should stop thinking they’re “trying” for all of us and start thinking they just want to keep the farce going so we don’t turn it into a battle of the wealthy against everyone else.
He hasn’t stopped anything from happening.
The article says he has talked all night which didn’t interrupt anything whatsoever.
The correct move would be to hold his breath until they are going to vote on something, and then start speaking and don’t stop. Like a filibuster yaknow?
When you wrote this he was still going.
He is still going now at 7:45pm eastern.
He has stopped a full day of congress working and is still going.
He has literally stopped a nation’s legislative branch. But let me guess: Not enough?
So what is he stopping specifically?
Well friend, what are you and the people you support doing? Are you opposing legislation by holding the floor and not allowing it to get introduced? Are you bringing a voice to all the suffering thats coming for us all?
Are you still doing the 2024 dems are bad so just let trump win and fuck the world spin?
I’m with you. Either pay attention or hold your criticism of the only people actively trying to stop the Trump administration.
Democrats voted and spoke out against Trump’s cabinet nominations, forced a 15-day vote against Trump’s executive order, confirmed Biden’s pending judicial appointments when Republican attendance is low, and are the ones bringing these cases to the courts. They are doing everything they can to stop this from the minority.
The DNC needs to be risking jail like their opposition in order to be effective. Their GOP counter parts showed how effective that could be and have doubled down on it.
Trying to be strong in the face of adversity requires real risk of consequences. Everything the DNC does is so meticulously calculated to minimize risk all they have is posturing. Speed of execution beats the best planned but half implemented strategies.
Fail faster, take more risk, fucking act like lives are on the line and don’t worry about which lobbyist isn’t going to call you back after you inadvertently nuke their shit.
This guy studying his enemy. Good for you friend. Glad to see so many allies on the sub.
Well, not everything. Like rolling over to allow a spending bill through with absolutely no concessions it’s things like this that make the democrats complicit and not acting as a true opposition party.
The CR/shutdown was a lose/lose. According to EO 14210, Trump could terminate non-essential government employees in a large-scale reduction of workforce if there is insufficient funding. It would expedite Project 2025.
https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/don-t-use-shutdown-plans-to-slash-the-federal-workforce
And the funding bill gave expansive new military powers to the executive office, it wasn’t just a stop gap bill. It’s the same lame Duck crap democrats continue to do that put our country in the position it is in. They are complicit and are more aligned with the republicans than they are a true left or progressive party.
I’m aware. I’m not saying it was the right choice. I’m saying it was a lose/lose situation. The military powers are more of a formality to keep the Republicans in Congress’s hands clean. They have majority regardless.
And when they are trying to cede congressional authority and oversight to the executive branch… we really needed the leverage on the CR
If it’s lose/lose, why didn’t they choose to lose with dignity instead of lose like cowards?
They should have. Dissent made them look weak. I’m just saying it wasn’t a simple choice to give up leverage that people seem to think it was.
Right if you can’t stop Hegseth form getting nominated at least do something to slow it down. Any opposition is good.
This is real political opposition. Not holding a sign for TV cameras. 17 hours of reading Americans pleas of mercy. This is american he’s voicing my concerns and obstructing republicans. This is what i want. Sorry it offends so many. Im going to watch all day and tell my friends to watch.
Support this if you hate authoritarianism.
Something I want to highlight, because I know it’ll come up (even if just in people’s minds) is democratic betrayals and silence, eg on the budget CR.
Chuck Schumer likely betrayed the Dems either for financial institutions and “stability”, or for state safety and cowardice. The former is scummy, and pretty much grants him all the hate he deserves. The latter is also plausible, and perhaps more excusable (still betraying our wishes) in that millions of people who hadn’t been following politics would hear smear tactics against Democrats. Plus, it would shut down the courts which is the one area of frequent victory.
I’m not making that case because I agree with it, especially now that courts are faltering, just that someone good but scared could believe it. And even if you assume the worst of Chuck, think about the motivations that put most Democrats in place across the country. A good number of them aren’t going to capitulate to the silence/financial appeasement.
If you want a better solution: Research democratic candidates before you vote for them. I’ve been phone banking for Susan Crawford, and while everything I see about her is good, I do get worried by the voter response of “Oh, I always vote Democrat!” Someday, for some people, that will not be a good idea. For some 80% of them, it is. And if the House is ever 80% democrat, it won’t matter that 20% of them are spineless.
On that point, Schumer flipped (and whipped up enough traitors to pass the bill) in like the 12 hours before the vote. They had been talking about this since the inauguration, as the time when they’d finally be able to force the Republicans back to the table and do something
There’s no way he didn’t get a call from someone.
Then he meets with Trump, goes on a talk show tour to try to justify his actions, and the Democratic establishment held their breath to see if people would buy it. They still aren’t coming out hard against him… The condemnations are lukewarm and hesitant at best from party leadership.
No, they gave MAGA everything they wanted. They didn’t even get to give input on the spending bill. This isn’t 5D chess, this isn’t a strategic play… It was just total capitulation
And the party still wants to wait and see if Schumer can salvage his reputation, if they can sweep this utter betrayal under the rug
This was my read on the situation as well, thank you for voicing it better than i could.
The condemnations are lukewarm because at best they wouldn’t accomplish much. For all the effort voting out Chuck and finding a replacement, Republicans would have full focus on special elections.
We all know for all intents AOC and JCrockett are the leaders of the Democratic Party currently. A title would not change that to a significant degree. Neither of them has encouraged focus on Schumer, and I imagine there’s good reason for that.
I’m all for finding inspiring new candidates - but we don’t actually gain all that much by dragging down the pretty bad ones - and I fully agree they’re bad, especially when their seats are not up for election. The house has a lot of seats to claim.
I once had a bad sandwich at a shitty sandwich shop. I said it was bad. I just don’t devote time and energy to warning everyone away from the shop. I’m finding better sandwiches. This is the challenge of building yourself off what inspires you rather than what you hate.
If a sandwich shop gives you food poisoning, you absolutely should be telling people not to eat there. You should leave reviews and tell people every time the name comes up
The logic you’re using is “well, what if the shop closes down and people can’t get sandwiches at all? What if they’re forced to eat at the numerous food stands that also give you food poisoning?”
If you say nothing, people are going to look at the sandwich shop sign and think it’s safer than the street food… That’s not better
To get away from the metaphor, harshly condemning Schumer at every turn would definitely do something. It sends a message that “this isn’t what you can expect from Democrats”
You say everyone knows who the real leaders of the party are…I literally don’t even know the second name there, I know AOC because she does good messaging about who she is and what she stands for. And I pay attention
Most people don’t even know who their representative is, but they’re much more likely to know who Schumer and Pelosi are. And they hate them.
This shady shit is why people hate the Democrats. When someone hands Trump everything he wants without a fight, they try to downplay it, like people haven’t noticed. They don’t punish it, they barely mention it - they’re so desperate to not shake the boat that they do nothing
Democrats need to shake the boat and make enemies… That’s what wins elections today. They need to call people out, and tell them what they stand for, and then they need to follow through
I agree with this sentiment 100%. I feel totally betrayed by Schumer. I feel really good good watching Corey broker spend 16 hours reading constituents letters before the congressional record.
I agree we can’t blindly vote for a party. That is what got us here. But presidential elections come down to 2 candidates and it’s going to be a lesser of two evils vote. Trust me I hate the dems as much as any dem. I’m a true centrist I like policy that makes sense on both sides of the isle. I don’t remember a time in history where the lesser of two evils contrast was so high.
We really need to clean sweep congress and get fresh blood who’s represents the american people and not corporations and billionaires.
Booker isn’t either. Again, in case you missed it:
“Booker’s speech is not a filibuster because it is not blocking legislation or a nomination.”
Booker is grandstanding. Talking. Talking gets us nowhere. Is he DOING anything? No. The entire party is rudderless, weak, and borderline complicit. ACTUALLY complicit in the cases of Schumer and Fetterman and Durbin, to name a few.
In case you missed it look up the definition of a filibuster. Please try and think REALLY hard, about how obstucting a legislature works. Do your best to really consider the definition of filibuster and get back to me.
Any time taken up on the senate floor, cannot be used by republicans and their dem traitor friends to pass law.
This is good. Its not going to save the world, but this is a good start to opposition. I wish i could find a better way to express myself on this one but your opinion leaves me at a loss for words.
and therefore it can’t be stopped by cloture or withdrawal or override because it is just a senator talking
which he can do for as long as he likes
Nope, a motion for cloture would end this speech and any other debate and move the Senate along to its next vote
But that ISN’T HOW HE FEELS!
They held up little signs while voting for bad things to happen.
WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT!?
I fucking hate neolibs man, a bunch of college educated idiots who can’t admit when they’ve been conned.
if you think that something else should be done then go do it and stop being a coward whining and begging someone else to do it for you
Removed by mod
Fire up that revolution. Im waiting to see the coward communist live up to their words. Worse than the ‘libertarians’ who are drooling over a tyranical government. buncha steppy sneks. Sorry for focusing on data and reality instead of day dreaming about revolution your to scared to enact. Whole lotta revolution talk but sure is quiet in the streets? Lotta typing tho keep it up! The revolution will not be televised it will be typed and purity checked.
If i don’t go to work tomorrow I get fired and then in 2 months i become homeless
You fucking do it bitch
Sorry I don’t get a 200k/yr salary to do nothing like our representatives.
I’m not the one bitching. I’m just the guy trying to draw peoples attention to the filibuster in the senate.
If the entire country shut down tomorrow I would live blissfully for years, until I died a natural death.
It would appear this is a more pressing issue with you since you can’t survive 2 weeks without a job? Probably not even a week in a food shortage. Seems like you’re very at risk of these tariffs coming in. Why should i risk my saftey and comfort? This is a you problem not a me problem, i’ve been planning for this moment my whole life. If humanity can’t save it’s self i’ll be safely watching from the side lines or catching one of the first nukes out. I’m certainly not going to fight for people who won’t fight for themselves lol. get rekt n00b.
So as a wise man once said…
‘no u’
I liked Bidens America I just want constiutional law and order back not a fucking revolution. Maybe a little eat the rich as a treat? I like 90% tax brackets for rich people.
Your link just had a ton of articles i could not find your quote.
He’s holding the senate floor in a filibuster. If what you say is true they maybe trying to introduce legislation or a nomination. I seriously doubt they are standing up there all night to stretch their voices. They are submitting public testimony to the record.
Did you have any thoughts? I’m not even sure how to respond to your link.
Edit: I found the quote, they described a filibuster, and then claimed his was not one. Great reporting. Holding the floor for 12 hours is obsructing the legislature.
fil·i·bus·ter /ˈfiləˌbəstər/ noun 1. an action such as a prolonged speech that obstructs progress in a legislative assembly while not technically contravening the required procedures.
The Senate does not have a time limit on any speech like other bodies do. One a Senator has the floor, they can keep talking until they yield the floor.
A traditional Filibuster is when a Senator does this to postpone a particular vote. Since there was no vote pending, technically this doesn’t count as a Filibuster. Which means Booker can get the press coverage for doing this, without really holding up anything important.
I don’t know if you remeber 2008-2016 but republicans basically threatened to filibuster everything and no laws got passed.
Democrats are warming up for 2-8 years of filobustering everything I hope. Its better than you know 12 senators voting with republicans to screw their constituents. Schumers to old to hold the floor for 12hours over night. Someones gonna have to be brave enough and strong enough to oppose like this for years.
Glad to see so much popular support. The virgin rage and impotence is palpable.
Removed by mod
… Thanks for linking to a source which confirms my interpretation, you did my work for me!
Seriously it will not kill you to support some kind of political opposition to authoritarianism flirting with nazis.
I’m always amazed this site is a bunch of left of center folks and yet your words and actions are always in favor of republicans destroying progressivism.
How is being a doomer working out? You guys gaining any ground on not getting deported or detained for 1st amendment rights?
You think this is doing nothing? So you’re telling me the republicans have no pending legislation or nominations they are trying to pass this week? You don’t think they have an endless list of bullshit to pass. Any time taken away from them being able to screw us over is good.
You’re making me a doomer tho chill.
Ah yes, a real heritage foundation constitutionalist here folks.
Yes The glorious US government of 1850. What was it that happened 11 years later? Are we even the same government at this point?
Has the filibuster been used in different ways since that time. 2008-2016, they just said filibuster and no one even had to hold the floor, the bills would crumble.
let these fuckers cook and pray they can hold the floor for 2 years.
Oh, I thought they were actually doing something.
I mean, giving an extra long speech where you point out all the terrible things Trump is doing and read letters from constituents is doing something, it’s just not a filibuster or anywhere near the level of intensity we need. Telling Republicans they’re hurting people isn’t going to change their minds.
I don’t understand why some in this thread are so offended when it’s noted that it’s not a Filibuster, because it’s not blocking a vote. It doesn’t matter what we call it. He’s doing this to get some attention to certain issues, and it’s working. In many ways, it’s better that he does it when no critical vote is pending, because he can’t be accused of obstructionism.
People need to understand that, as the minority party in the Senate, all Democrats can really do is obstruct. And Republicans are counting on that obstruction, because it makes it easier to tear shit down. If Democrats simply refuse to let anything come to the floor, Republicans will just wait until the entire government defaults, and then blame it all on Democrats.
Democrats need to pick their battles carefully, and I think Booker did a good job here. Whether or not is actually blocks votes is besides the point.
I’d he fine if he did this and caused the shut down. At least the USAID folk would still technically have a job. Stop with this delicate fine line bullshit. We all know what a shit heel Trump is and what he’s done. 25 hours and he’ll get a 15 second blurp on a Sinclair outlet. This is extremely dangerous to our democracy.
It is litterally a filibuster. You are gaslighting, thats why people are upset. If democrats make it clear no bipartisan legislation will pass, thats the only opposition we have.
Holding the senate floor for 2 years is the only good idea the democrats have come up with thus far.
As I said in another comment:
It’s unbelievable. Nothing is ever the correct way to do things. People like you always complain without solutions or even a hint of what the fuck you want.
What should he have done instead? What was the correct move for Booker here? Let’s hear it.
Did you find anything in that link to suggest that they are doing a filibuster for fun. would love it if they would filibuster until 2026.
fil·i·bus·ter /ˈfiləˌbəstər/ noun 1. an action such as a prolonged speech that obstructs progress in a legislative assembly while not technically contravening the required procedures.
Im so glad so many people understand how our government works and make every effort to undermine oppostion and support authoritarianism.
Democrats voted and spoke out against Trump’s cabinet nominations, forced a 15-day vote against Trump’s executive order, confirmed Biden’s pending judicial appointments when Republican attendance is low, and are the ones bringing these cases to the courts. They are doing everything they can to stop this from the minority. Pay attention or hold your criticism.