- State: New York
- Party: Republican
- Length: 15 hours 14 min
- Date: October 5, 1992
Senator D’Amato makes the list with a lengthy speech opposing a tax bill in 1992. This being his second marathon filibuster, the action further secured his status as one of the Senate’s most persistent orators. His speech was filled with a mix of policy arguments and lighter, off-topic remarks to keep his own energy up.
- State: Oregon
- Party: Democratic
- Length: 15 hours 28 min
- Date: April 4, 2017
Jeff Merkley’s 2017 filibuster stands out as a critical moment in recent Senate history. Motivated by his opposition to the confirmation of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, Merkley embarked on a 15-hour speech to emphasize the significance of the nomination process and its broader implications for the judiciary. During his marathon address, he not only shared his concerns about Gorsuch’s judicial record but also highlighted the Senate’s controversial handling of prior Supreme Court nominations.
- State: Louisiana
- Party: Democratic
- Length: 15 hours 30 min
- Date: June 12, 1935
Known for his dramatic flair, Louisiana Senator Huey Long used his filibuster to protest a New Deal bill that would have reduced his control over Louisiana's political operations. Famous for his storytelling, Long filled his speech with anecdotes, recipes for southern dishes, and even hymn singing. His colorful filibuster remains one of the most memorable in Senate history.
- State: Wisconsin
- Party: Democratic
- Length: 16 hours 12 min
- Date: September 28, 1981
Senator William Proxmire of Wisconsin opposed raising the national debt ceiling, leading to his extended speech. Proxmire was a fiscal conservative and famously awarded the “Golden Fleece” award to highlight wasteful government spending. His filibuster served to underscore his commitment to economic responsibility, even if it didn’t stop the vote.
- State: Wisconsin
- Party: Republican
- Length: 18 hours 23 min
- Date: May 29, 1908
One of the earliest record-breaking filibusters, this speech by Senator Robert M. La Follette Sr. of Wisconsin opposed a currency bill that he believed favored big banks over working Americans. His filibuster cemented his reputation as a passionate advocate for progressive reforms (note that he was a member of the Republican party).
- State: Texas
- Party: Republican
- Length: 21 hours 18 min
- Date: September 24, 2013
Texas Senator Ted Cruz delivered a lengthy speech opposing the Affordable Care Act, often referred to as “Obamacare.” While he vowed to speak “until I am no longer able to stand,” he wrapped up just shy of 22 hours. His talk included everything from policy debates to a dramatic reading of Dr. Seuss’s Green Eggs and Ham. The filibuster earned media attention but didn’t succeed in derailing the ACA or garnering much support from many other members of his party since it led, in part, to the 2013 U.S. government shutdown.
- State: Oregon
- Party: Independent
- Length: 22 hours 26 min
- Date: April 24, 1953
Oregon Senator Wayne Morse secured his spot with this epic filibuster against the Tidelands Oil legislation. Dubbed the "Tiger of the Senate," Morse was known for his independence and willingness to stand alone on many issues. This lengthy speech highlighted his commitment, though it ultimately didn’t change the outcome of the vote.
- State: New York
- Party: Republican
- Length: 23 hours 30 min
- Date: October 17, 1986
Senator Alfonse D’Amato of New York embarked on a nearly 24-hour filibuster to oppose a military spending bill affecting a typewriter factory in his state. Known for his theatrics and persistence, D’Amato even broke into a rendition of "South of the Border (Down Mexico Way)" during his speech. Though entertaining, his efforts didn’t prevent the bill’s advancement. But he is the only Senator to appear twice in the top 10 of longest filibusters in U.S. history.
- State: South Carolina
- Party: Republican
- Length: 24 hours 18 min
- Date: August 28, 1957
Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina holds the record for the longest filibuster, speaking nonstop for over 24 hours in an attempt to block the Civil Rights Act of 1957. He reportedly went to great lengths to prepare for the filibuster, including taking saunas to dehydrate so he could avoid bathroom breaks. While his speech covered everything from the Declaration of Independence to recipes, it ultimately failed to stop the bill's passage.
- State: New Jersey
- Party: Democratic
- Length: 25 hours 5 minutes
- Date: March 31, 2025
Senator Cory Booker's filibuster set the record for longest filibuster ever. He began his speech on the night of March 31, 2025 and continued going well into the next evening. The senator is a former football tight end and showed his stamina by pacing and leaning against his podium with only a couple of glasses of water. Yet his voice continued to raise in strength while protesting the policies of the second Trump administration and reading letters from his affected constituents.
