Cory Booker Condemns Trump’s Policies in Longest Senate Speech on Record. The New Jersey senator spent much of his speech, which ended after more than 25 hours, assailing the Trump administration. He eclipsed Strom Thurmond’s filibuster of a civil rights bill in 1957. Source: The New York Times
Lesson Objectives:
- By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Define the filibuster and explain its function within the U.S. Senate.
- Trace the historical evolution of the filibuster, focusing on significant changes and their implications.
- Analyze the role of the filibuster in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1957.
- Evaluate contemporary perspectives on the use of the filibuster, referencing Senator Cory Booker’s 2025 marathon speech. Northjersey.com
Lesson Outline:
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Introduction to the Filibuster
- Begin with a class discussion: “What mechanisms exist in the U.S. Senate to prolong or halt legislation?”
- Introduce the concept of the filibuster as a parliamentary procedure in the U.S. Senate designed to extend debate and delay or prevent a vote on a bill. United States Senate
- Explain the origins of the filibuster, noting that it was not part of the original design of the Senate but emerged in the early 19th century. Brookings the history of the filibuster
Evolution of the Filibuster
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Distribute a timeline highlighting key moments in the history of the filibuster, including:
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- The introduction of the cloture rule in 1917 allowed the Senate to end a filibuster with a two-thirds majority vote.
- The reduction of the cloture threshold to three-fifths (60 senators) in 1975.
- Notable filibusters used to block civil rights legislation, emphasizing their impact on policy and society.
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Discuss the strategic use of the filibuster by minority groups within the Senate to influence legislation.
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Case Study: The Civil Rights Act of 1957
Provide background on the Civil Rights Act of 1957, the first federal civil rights legislation since Reconstruction, aimed at protecting African American voting rights. World History Edu
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Detail Senator Strom Thurmond’s record-setting filibuster of 24 hours and 18 minutes against the bill, including his motivations and the content of his speech.
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Analyze the outcomes of the filibuster, noting that despite Thurmond’s efforts, the bill passed but with significant compromises that limited its effectiveness.
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Viewing and Discussion of Senator Cory Booker’s 2025 Marathon Speech (25 minutes):
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Introduce the context of Senator Cory Booker’s 25-hour and 5-minute speech in 2025, which surpassed Thurmond’s record.
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Watch the 7-minute video below. : “Cory Booker has been protesting Trump policies on Senate floor for 16 hours” to provide students with a visual understanding of modern filibuster practices.
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Discuss the content and rhetoric of Booker’s speech, noting how it reflects historical civil rights struggles and contemporary political dynamics.
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Senator Cory Booker’s 2025 Marathon Speech
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Present an overview of Senator Cory Booker’s 25-hour and 5-minute speech in 2025, which surpassed Thurmond’s record. Reuters
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Discuss the context of Booker’s speech as a protest against President Donald Trump’s actions during his second term, highlighting the senator’s concerns about threats to democratic institutions and civil rights. New York Magazine
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Examine the content and rhetoric of Booker’s speech, noting how it reflects historical civil rights struggles and contemporary political dynamics.
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Debate: The Role and Relevance of the Filibuster Today
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Divide the class into two groups for a structured debate:
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Pro-Filibuster: Argue that the filibuster is a vital tool for the minority in the Senate to ensure all voices are heard and to prevent hasty legislation.
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Anti-Filibuster: Argue that the filibuster is an outdated mechanism that obstructs democratic processes and has been used to hinder civil rights progress.
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Encourage students to use historical examples, including the 1957 and 2025 speeches, to support their arguments.
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Facilitate a reflective discussion on how the filibuster has shaped, and continues to shape, legislative outcomes and civil rights in the United States.
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Conclusion and Reflection
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Summarize key points from the debate and the historical cases studied.
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Assign a reflective essay: “Considering the historical and contemporary uses of the filibuster, should it be reformed, abolished, or maintained? Provide reasoning and historical evidence to support your position.”
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Essay questions
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Historical Analysis: Compare and contrast the use of the filibuster during the Civil Rights Act of 1957 and Senator Cory Booker’s 2025 speech. How has the purpose, perception, and impact of the filibuster changed over time?
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Legislative Ethics: Should the filibuster be reformed or abolished? Consider its historical role in both obstructing and advancing civil rights legislation, as well as its function in modern political discourse.
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Personal Reflection & Civic Engagement: If you were a U.S. senator, how would you use or challenge the filibuster to influence policy? Provide examples of historical and contemporary uses of the filibuster to support your argument.