Booker flip-flopped on filibuster ahead of marathon Senate speech

Sen. Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, made headlines in 2022 when he condemned the Senate filibuster as an “abuse of power.” However, just a few years later, he found himself praised by his party for launching the longest filibuster in U.S. Senate history on Tuesday.

Booker’s marathon speech on the Senate floor lasted an impressive 25 hours and 5 minutes, setting a new record for the longest filibuster. The senator began his speech at 7 p.m. on Monday and continued speaking without interruption until the following day.

The filibuster has long been a contentious issue in the Senate, with Democrats and Republicans clashing over its use. During President Joe Biden’s administration, many Democrats criticized the filibuster as Republicans frequently used it to block key legislation.

In January 2022, Booker voiced his opposition to the filibuster, stating, “The filibuster has been abused to stop reforms supported by the vast majority of Americans—from background checks to protecting the right to vote. We must stop this abuse of power.”

Former Senator Kyrsten Sinema, the lone Democrat who opposed abolishing the filibuster during Biden’s term, took a jab at her fellow party members who had criticized her stance. Sinema humorously remarked, “Maybe it isn’t an old Jim Crow relic, after all,” referring to President Barack Obama’s characterization of the filibuster.

Sinema specifically called out Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat from Washington, who had previously condemned the “Jim Crow filibuster.” However, Jayapal’s stance shifted when Republicans attempted to pass a continuing resolution in March, prompting Sinema to point out the inconsistency.

Booker himself has undergone a change of heart on the filibuster, initially defending it in 2019 before advocating for its removal in 2022. He had previously stated that Democrats should not tamper with the filibuster’s strength and had pledged to resist efforts to eliminate it.

The back-and-forth on the filibuster issue highlights the complexities and divisions within the Democratic Party on this contentious issue. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how lawmakers will navigate the use of the filibuster in the future.

Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. For tips, reach out to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com or follow him on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.