Senator Cory Booker gave a marathon all-night speech on the Senate floor that stretched into Tuesday morning, in an effort to put a spotlight on what he called a “crisis” facing the United States because of the Trump administration’s “recklessness.”
Mr. Booker, the New Jersey Democrat, began speaking at 7 p.m. on Monday, according to news reports, and was still addressing the chamber, which was largely empty, as of 8 a.m. Eastern.
The speech appeared to be part of an attempt by Democrats to retake the initiative and more assertively oppose President Trump. The senator divided his remarks into sections focused on an aspect of the administration’s policies, including on health care, education, immigration and national security.
He assailed what he said were Mr. Trump’s plans to cut funding for Medicaid, among other programs. The White House has denied that it plans to cut Medicaid benefits, but the president and his allies have attacked Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security over what they claim is waste, fraud and abuse.
“I rise with the intention of disrupting the normal business of the United States Senate for as long as I am physically able,” Mr. Booker said near the start of his speech. “I rise tonight because I believe sincerely that our nation is in crisis.”
As dawn broke, Mr. Booker, a former presidential candidate, was still going. “I’m rip-roaring and ready,” he said. “I’m wide awake. I’m going to stand here for as many hours as I can.”
