Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley delivered a monumental 22-hour, 37-minute address on the Senate floor, the third longest in history, to sound a profound alarm against the Trump administration’s perceived authoritarian drift and its strategic plan, Project 2025, challenging the very foundations of American democracy.
In a powerful and historic display of senatorial endurance, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon held the Senate floor for an astonishing 22 hours and 37 minutes, beginning Tuesday night, October 21, 2025, and concluding Wednesday evening, October 22, 2025. His marathon speech served as a stark warning against what he described as the Trump administration’s escalating authoritarianism and its blueprint for a profound shift in American governance, explicitly citing Project 2025.
The Core Message: Authoritarianism and the Erosion of Democracy
At the heart of Senator Merkley’s nearly day-long address was a vehement protest against the perceived subversion of democratic principles. He asserted that President Trump’s agenda aimed to replace a government “of, by, and for the people” with one “of, by, and for the powerful.” This alarming shift, Merkley argued, was being facilitated by a compliant Congress, a Supreme Court increasingly vesting power in the executive, and a well-orchestrated strategy to dismantle democratic institutions, primarily through the initiative known as Project 2025.
Merkley declared the nation was in “the most perilous moment, the biggest threat to our republic since the Civil War,” accusing President Trump of “shredding our constitution.” He reiterated throughout his speech, “the president is not a king,” “laws are not suggestions,” and “following the constitution is not optional.” His consistent message, from start to finish, was an urgent call to action for Americans to “stand strong together to ring the alarm bells that Trump’s authoritarianism is here now.”
The Senator highlighted specific policy concerns, including aggressive deportation efforts, the cancellation of federal programs, the alleged weaponization of the Justice Department, and the controversial deployment of the National Guard to American cities, particularly Portland, Oregon, which he represents. He criticized the president for attempting to portray cities like Portland as chaotic to justify a stronger authoritarian grip on the nation.
A Place in Senate History: Marathon Speeches for a Cause
Senator Merkley’s 22-hour, 37-minute speech holds the distinction of being the third longest in Senate history. A personal goal for Merkley was to surpass the previous record for an Oregon senator, set by Republican Wayne Morse in 1953, who spoke for 22 hours and 26 minutes to protest an offshore oil bill. Merkley successfully topped this mark, securing his place in a unique pantheon of legislative endurance.
While an extraordinary feat, Merkley’s speech was not the absolute longest. That record belongs to Senator Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, who spoke for over 25 hours earlier in the same year, also in protest of Trump administration policies. Historically, another notable marathon address was delivered by Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina, who filibustered the Civil Rights Act of 1957 for more than 24 hours. Merkley himself is no stranger to such efforts, having previously spoken for over 15 hours in 2017 to oppose the nomination of Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch.
Extended floor speeches like Merkley’s are a traditional, albeit grueling, method for senators to draw significant attention to critical issues when direct legislative power might be limited. They serve as a powerful platform to educate the public, exert moral pressure, and rally support for a cause, particularly during periods of legislative gridlock or intense political polarization. While such speeches cannot directly halt legislation in the modern Senate without broader procedural support, their impact on public discourse can be substantial, as noted by The New York Times.
Understanding Project 2025: A Blueprint for Executive Power
A central pillar of Senator Merkley’s alarm was the mention of Project 2025. This initiative, spearheaded by The Heritage Foundation, is a comprehensive plan designed to prepare a conservative presidential administration for a rapid and extensive overhaul of the federal government from day one. It outlines strategies for expanding presidential power, restructuring federal agencies, and implementing a specific policy agenda.
Critics, including Senator Merkley, view Project 2025 as a direct threat to the checks and balances inherent in the U.S. constitutional system, paving the way for a more centralized, executive-dominated government. Proponents argue it is necessary to restore executive authority and efficiency. For more detailed information on the initiative, readers can consult resources such as the official overview provided by The Heritage Foundation.
Reactions and Implications
Senator Merkley’s speech garnered immediate and divided reactions. While fellow Democrats, including Senators Andy Kim, Cory Booker, Dick Durbin, Maria Cantwell, Tina Smith, Ed Markey, and Chris Murphy, took turns asking extended questions to provide Merkley brief breaks, Republicans were less enthused.
Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming, the No. 2 Senate Republican, sharply criticized the speech, calling it “22 hours of what I can only describe as rubbish.” Republicans also pointed to the fact that the speech required Capitol Police and Senate staff to work overnight without immediate pay, due to an ongoing government shutdown. Merkley acknowledged the imposition but emphasized the urgency of his message, hoping to build momentum from recent anti-Trump rallies and potentially expedite a resolution to the shutdown.
The context of a government shutdown amplified the political tension surrounding Merkley’s protest. Democrats had previously used the Senate’s 60-vote threshold to block a stopgap funding bill passed by House Republicans, contributing to the shutdown. Merkley’s speech underscored the deep ideological chasm within Congress and the ongoing battle over the future direction and interpretation of American governance.
In his concluding remarks, despite feeling lightheaded at times from the physical demands of his prolonged address, Senator Merkley remained resolute. He warned that “the longer you are in an authoritarian state, it becomes more and more entrenched,” emphasizing the critical need for immediate vigilance and unified action to safeguard democratic institutions.
