Sen. Jeff Merkley’s Senate floor speech broke the 21-hour mark on Wednesday afternoon.
The Oregon Democrat said his marathon oratory was intended to “ring the alarm bells” on President Trump’s authoritarianism.
“We’re in the most perilous moment, the biggest threat to our republic since the Civil War,” he said at the start of his speech. “President Trump is shredding our Constitution.”
Beginning at 6:21 p.m. Tuesday, Mr. Merkley criticized a slew of policies and administrative deeds: deportation efforts, canceled research grants, weaponizing the Justice Department and power over business deals and broadcast licenses.
“Not in a free America,” he said.
At this point, it appears that Mr. Merkley may break Sen. Cory Booker’s record for the longest individual floor speech in the Senate. The recent speech by Mr. Booker, New Jersey Democrat, lasted 25 hours and 5 minutes. He was also protesting Mr. Trump’s presidency.
Mr. Merkley has staged long speeches in the past.
He spoke for 15 hours and 26 minutes against the nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. Senate Republicans invoked the “nuclear option” to shut down the filibuster of Justice Gorsuch’s confirmation.
This time, Mr. Merkley’s speech is not technically a filibuster, since he is not blocking a bill or a nomination. However, he is “holding the floor,” as it is known in the Senate.
Fellow Democrats took turns asking Mr. Merkley questions, giving him brief breaks during his speech.
His extended speech as the government shutdown stretched into day 22, with Democrats and Republicans still at an impasse.
Republicans criticized Mr. Merkley’s stunt.
Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso of Wyoming and Sen. Tim Sheehy of Montana said that Capitol Police are not being paid during his speech.
