Cory Booker’s Senate Speech Echoes ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington’
Senator Cory Booker delivered a powerful speech on the Senate floor that drew comparisons to the iconic film 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.' The New Jersey Democrat's impassioned address focused on the need for integrity and bipartisanship in politics, echoing the themes of the 1939 classic.
Booker's speech, which lasted over an hour, was meticulously prepared, as revealed by The New York Times. The senator spent weeks crafting his message, drawing inspiration from the film's protagonist, Jefferson Smith, who fights corruption in Washington.
The speech has garnered attention from across the political spectrum, with Axios reporting that former President Donald Trump commented on Booker's address, suggesting it was a rallying cry for Democrats ahead of the upcoming elections.
On social media, C. Grisales of NPR praised Booker's performance, noting the senator's ability to captivate his audience and draw parallels between the film and current political challenges.
Related issues news
How long was Sen Bookers' speech?
After 25 hours and 5 minutes speaking directly to the American people, Senator Booker broke the record for longest individual floor speech ever delivered, surpassing the previous record set by Strom Thurmond of South Carolina, who filibustered for 24 hours and 18 minutes against the Civil Rights Act of 1957.
Is Booker a Republican?
Cory Booker is the senior United States senator from New Jersey and a member of the Democratic Party.
How long did Strom Thurmond speak on the Senate floor?
Thurmond concluded his filibuster after 24 hours and 18 minutes at 9:12 p.m. on August 29, making it the 2nd longest filibuster ever conducted in the Senate as of 2025. This surpassed the previous record set by Wayne Morse, who spoke against the Submerged Lands Act for 22 hours and 26 minutes in 1953.
What is the senate floor?
The Basics The Senate Chamber is a rectangular, two-story room located in the center of the north wing of the U.S. Capitol. The nation's 100 senators sit at individual desks arranged on a tiered semicircular platform facing a raised rostrum.
