Democratic Senator Cory Booker told CNN who prepared for his “very aware of Strom Thurmond’s record”, which was for the late American Senator in 1957, and that he fasted and dehydrated so as not to have to use the bathroom throughout the speech.
“Since I arrived at the Senate, I have always felt that there was a strange shadow hanging over this institution – that the longest speech, all the questions that came up, all the noble causes that people did or the things they normally try to stop it – I just found it strange that he had the record,” said New Jersey Democrat.
“And as a guy who grew up with the legends of the civil rights movement, that would just look wrong with me. It always looked wrong,” he added.
Strom Thurmond held the longest speech record when he spoke in the plenary for 24 hours and 18 minutes to oppose the act of civil rights of 1957.
Preparation with fasting and dehydration
When asked how he managed to avoid a break to go to the bathroom and stand, Booker said he had stopped eating days ago and dehydrated, which led to muscle cramps and spasms over time.
The Democrat received praise and criticism from some of his republicans after his marathon speech, with some calling him politician, while one praised his courage and passion.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina said the speech was “made for TV” and “looked a little more with a hearing for the 2028 program.”
Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski from Alaska said she hugged Booker when he finished.
“The most amazing about Senator Boooker is that one thing is to stay there for 24 hours, without eating, standing, but thinking and being coherent in his conversation. I was very proud of him,” she said, recognizing that he may not agree with everything he said.
The Democratic Senator spoke for hours, starting his comments at 7 pm, east US time on Monday night, making an effort at a time when Democratic leaders in Washington are under pressure from their own base to do more to face Trump.
Booker is a member of the Senate Democratic Leadership Team.
“I get up with the intention of stopping the normal business of the United States Senate for the time I was physically capable,” Booker expressed at the beginning of his speech. “I get up tonight because I sincerely believe our country is in crisis.”
He continued to state that “in just 71 days, the president of the United States inflicted so much damage to the safety of Americans; financial stability; the essential foundations of our democracy.”
In his comments, the senator warned of potential cuts in Medicaid by the republicans of Congress and the damage that would cause to the voters themselves and the Americans across the country.
This content was originally published in a record in the US: Senator tells CNN that he has been fasting for days in preparation on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
