This week, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker made history with the longest continuous speech ever delivered on the U.S. Senate floor, speaking out against President Trump’s policies. While his passionate speech drew national attention, one of the most common questions people had was surprisingly simple: How did he go so long without using the bathroom?
Booker’s speech, which began around 7 p.m. Monday and ran for over 24 hours, beat the previous record held by Senator Strom Thurmond since 1957. But behind the scenes of these marathon speeches lies an unexpected challenge — managing basic human needs.
The Filibuster Endurance Challenge
Speaking for hours on end isn’t just about having the stamina to talk. It also involves staying on your feet and, more importantly, not leaving the Senate floor — which means no bathroom breaks.
In 2013, Republican Senator Ted Cruz spoke for 21 hours and 19 minutes in protest of the Affordable Care Act. Cruz offered a bit of advice when asked how he managed the long speech without a bathroom trip. His strategy was simple: “Nothing in, nothing out.” Cruz told CBS News he only had a small glass of water during the entire speech to avoid the need to go.
He revealed that Senator Rand Paul, who had done an 11-hour filibuster earlier that year, advised him to wear comfortable shoes and be careful with water. According to Paul, it wasn’t his legs that gave out — it was his bladder.
Booker’s Record-Breaking Speech
Cory Booker’s speech went beyond both Cruz’s and Paul’s, lasting over 24 hours and surpassing Thurmond’s historic speech. As he approached the final minutes, Booker humorously acknowledged his limits, saying he had to “deal with biological urgencies.” While he didn’t go into detail, it’s clear that managing hydration — and discomfort — is a crucial part of these political marathons.
Interestingly, Booker didn’t seek any advice from Cruz before launching into his own record-breaking speech. Still, the shared experience of long hours without food, water, or restroom access connects senators across party lines in a rather human way.
A Mix of Politics and Physical Endurance
These kinds of extended speeches, often part of filibusters or symbolic protests, are as much about physical endurance as they are about political messaging. Senators have to prepare not just their talking points, but their bodies — from wearing the right shoes to managing what (and how little) they drink beforehand.
Cruz famously swapped his usual cowboy boots for more practical tennis shoes during his filibuster, proving that even fashion takes a back seat when you’re standing for hours.