Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) joked about wanting to pull a Capitol fire alarm to end his fellow senator’s filibuster, which had been ongoing for over 21 hours as of Tuesday afternoon.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) began his filibuster on Monday evening at 7 p.m., prompting Cruz to joke on X about ending Booker’s speech preemptively. The Texas senator’s joke was a nod to when former New York Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman pulled the fire alarm in one of the Capitol buildings in September 2023, which he did just ahead of a vote for a spending bill.
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“As @CoryBooker approaches my 21-hour filibuster record, I’m contemplating pulling the fire alarm,” Cruz wrote on X. “H/T Jamal Bowman.”
As @CoryBooker approaches my 21-hour filibuster record, I’m contemplating pulling the fire alarm….
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) April 1, 2025
H/T Jamal Bowman pic.twitter.com/t4EjMfErSk
White House communications director Steven Cheung also took a swipe at the New Jersey senator, reposting Booker’s livestream with a report that one of Booker’s staffers had been arrested on charges of carrying a firearm on Capitol grounds, according to police.
“Live from your office: A Cory Booker Staffer Was Arrested for Carrying a Gun on Capitol Grounds, Police Said,” Cheung wrote.
Live from your office:
— Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung47) April 1, 2025
A Cory Booker Staffer Was Arrested for Carrying a Gun on Capitol Grounds, Police Saidhttps://t.co/ovhLmfLVfj https://t.co/7XxFm7BSx6
Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN) argued that Booker had spoken out against various stances of the Trump administration, including border security, deporting illegal immigrants, and rooting out waste within the government, joking that it’s “no wonder” the Democratic Party’s approval rating is low.
“Here’s what Cory Booker has been speaking out against: 1. Securing our borders 2. Deporting illegal alien criminals 3. Peace through strength 4. Rooting out fraud & waste 5. Unleashing American energy 6. Ending government weaponization,” Banks stated. “It’s no wonder Democrats have 27% approval rating.”
Here's what Cory Booker has been speaking out against:
— Jim Banks (@Jim_Banks) April 1, 2025
1. Securing our borders
2. Deporting illegal alien criminals
3. Peace through strength
4. Rooting out fraud & waste
5. Unleashing American energy
6. Ending government weaponization
It's no wonder Democrats have 27% approval…
“Senator Cory Booker ranted all night because illegals won’t get our Social Security money anymore,” media personality Jillian Anderson wrote on X. “Perfect reminder why Dems lost.”
Senator Cory Booker ranted all night because illegals won’t get our Social Security money anymore.
— Jillian Anderson (@Jillie_Alexis) April 1, 2025
Perfect reminder why Dems lost. ????
“The Democrats, like Cory Booker, are hypocrites that speak NOW about our Constitution but when THEY are in power, Dems have ZERO respect for it; you don’t hear a word now from Dems about ‘ending the filibuster,’ or adding seats to the Supreme Court!” comedian Rob Schneider commented.
The Democrats, like Cory Booker, are hypocrites that speak NOW about our Constitution but when THEY are in power, Dems have ZERO respect for it; you don’t hear a word now from Dems about ‘ending the filibuster,’ or adding seats to the Supreme Court!
— Rob Schneider (@RobSchneider) April 1, 2025
TODAYS Dems have NO interest…
“Instead of *actually* delivering for New Jerseyans, who are staring down the barrel of a 20% energy bill increase, the highest tax burden in the nation, and continue to struggle to make ends meet, Spartacus is using his platform to lay the foundation for his future second failed run for President,” New Jersey state Sen. Mike Testa said. “New Jersey deserves SO much better.”
To those saying Cory Booker’s overnight whining session on the floor of the U.S. Senate is, “brave & heroic,” are you living under a rock? ⁰⁰Instead of *actually* delivering for New Jerseyans, who are staring down the barrel of a 20% energy bill increase, the highest tax burden…
— Mike Testa (@TestaForNJ) April 1, 2025
“He pre-recorded videos giving play-by-play of his long speech – to release while giving his speech. Confusing because the video depicts him sitting in a chair,” commentator Matt Whitlock wrote on X in reposting a prerecorded video from Booker. “Why not just have staff post videos of the long speech?”
lol what?
— Matt Whitlock (@mattdizwhitlock) April 1, 2025
He pre-recorded videos giving play-by-play of his long speech – to release while giving his speech. Confusing because the video depicts him sitting in a chair.
Why not just have staff post videos of the long speech? https://t.co/TFpCWEQ0xI
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Booker’s speech was delivered as the House of Representatives underwent a procedural vote on a package of bills, which failed in a vote of 206-222, with nine Republicans joining all Democrats in voting against the measure because it killed efforts to allow new parents to vote remotely. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) told reporters the outcome was “disappointing” after the rule failed and said votes this week are “wiped off the table.”
In February, Booker suggested that a strategy for the Democratic Party should be to focus on “the crisis that’s happening to Americans.” He also claimed that President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, a major ally to the president, do not connect with voters.