Exclusive: Exclusive: Senator Cory Booker reflects on his historic, record-setting speech
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What are the key issues discussed in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election?
Polls have just closed just now in Wisconsin, where a high-stakes Supreme Court election will decide the ideological split of that court that has implications for everything from abortion rights to voting rights to gerrymandering to potentially control of the United States House in Washington, potentially to the ultimate dispensation and integrity of the next presidential election. The Wisconsin Supreme Court race has implications far beyond Wisconsin. It's also the first statewide race since the November election, and it happens to be happening in the state that was the most closely decided among all the states that Trump won. Again, in Wisconsin, polls have just now closed. We will bring you results in that very important Supreme Court race as we get them in over the course of this hour. We're also watching the results from two special elections for Congress in Florida. Deep, deep, deep red districts where Florida Republicans had taken those seats by well over 30 points in both cases.
We're watching to see how far Democrats have been able to chase Republicans toward that finish line tonight as the polling numbers, excuse me, as the voting numbers, the voting totals in Florida continue to come in. New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, as I mentioned, will be joining us live in just a few moments, which itself is a miraculous thing. He'll be joining us for his first interview after his historic all day and then some speech on the Senate floor in Washington. Tonight at 7.19 p.m. Eastern, Senator Booker broke the record for the longest speech ever given by a United States senator. The previous record was set by arch segregationist Strom Thurmond. who tried to filibuster the Civil Rights Act in 1957.
How did Senator Cory Booker break the Senate floor speech record?
That speech lasted 24 hours and 18 minutes, but it included things like him reading from the encyclopedia and him taking a bathroom break. Senator Cory Booker did nothing like either of those things. Tonight, Senator Booker blew past Thurman's record. He spoke until 8.04 p.m. for a total of 25 hours and four minutes.
Would the senator yield for a question?
Chuck Schumer is the only time in my life I can tell you no.
I just want to tell you a question. Do you know you have just broken the record? Do you know how proud this caucus is of you? Do you know how proud America is of you?
That was the moment when he broke the record, but that was not the end. He then kept going. The whole time, Senator Booker was not allowed to sit down or use the bathroom. He did get help from his Democratic colleagues who took turns overnight and all through the day today asking Senator Booker questions. That still did not mean Senator Booker could sit down, but it did mean that for the time they were asking their questions, he could stop talking. For the length of time it took them to pose a question to him, whereupon it was time for him to start talking again. At the start of his speech at 7 p.m. last night, Senator Booker referenced the late Congressman John Lewis, civil rights icon, a mentor to many Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Booker. Congressman John Lewis famously advised getting into what he called good trouble. Senator Booker began his stand by saying that's what he intended to do.
He began by saying he would disrupt the normal business of the Senate for as long as he was physically able because he sincerely believed the country was in crisis. Senator Booker started last night. He talked all night. He was still at it when we woke up today, delivering on his promise to disrupt the status quo any way he could.
What motivated Senator Booker to speak for 25 hours?
It's enough for me. 12 hours now I'm standing and I'm still going strong because this president is wrong. And he's violating principles that we hold dear and principles in this document that are so clear and plain. The powers of the Article I branch are spelled out and he is violating them. The Congress that is being too complicit to an executive that is overstepping his authority and violating the Constitution and hurting people. who rely on healthcare and social security. When is it going to be enough? My voice is inadequate. My efforts today are inadequate. to stop what they're trying to do. But we, the people, are powerful. We are strong. God bless America. We need you now.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
What are the key issues discussed in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election?
0:03–1:52
2
How did Senator Cory Booker break the Senate floor speech record?
1:52–3:57
3
What motivated Senator Booker to speak for 25 hours?
3:57–7:30
4
What was the significance of Senator Booker's speech against Trump's agenda?
7:30–15:19
5
How did the public respond to the mass firings at health agencies?
15:19–46:14
Speakers
2 identifiedMore from The Rachel Maddow Show
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