Cory Booker’s speech in protest of Trump breaks the Senate record

What is the purpose of representatives giving all night speeches (such as Cory Booker), and are other representatives required to attend? Rose

Hey, Rose. Thanks for your question. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker has been holding the Senate floor since Monday night with a marathon speech that’s lasted into Tuesday afternoon. It was a remarkable show of stamina as Democrats try to show their frustrated supporters that they are doing everything possible to contest Trump’s agenda.

As Booker’s speech rolled past 18 hours, it became the sixth longest in Senate history.

AP’s Mike Catlini and Stephen Groves wrote about Booker’s speech and what it represents. Here’s some of what they said:

Booker’s speech was not a filibuster, which is a speech meant to halt the advance of a specific piece of legislation. Instead, Booker’s performance was a broader critique of Trump’s agenda, meant to hold up the Senate’s business and draw attention to what Democrats are doing to contest the president. Without a majority in either congressional chamber, Democrats have been almost completely locked out of legislative power but are turning to procedural maneuvers to try to thwart Republicans.

As Democrats search for a next generation of leadership, frustrated with the old-timers at the top, Booker’s speech could cement his status as a leading figure in the party’s opposition to Trump.

While it’s not required for members of Congress to attend, Booker got some help from his Democratic colleagues, who gave him a break from speaking to ask him a question and praised his performance. Booker yielded for questions but made sure to say he would not give up the floor. He stayed standing to comply with Senate rules.