Merkley blocks Senate with 22-hour speech
Sen. Jeff Merkley's 22-hour Senate protest of Trump
Oregon Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley held the Senate floor for 22 hours and 37 minutes from October 21, 2025 at 6:21 p.m. EDT until October 22, 2025 at 4:58 p.m. EDT to protest President Trump’s authoritarian actions (CBS News update, October 23, 2025). He criticized the weaponization of the Justice Department, the deployment of the National Guard to Portland, canceled federal programs amid the government shutdown, and deportation policies (CBS News update, October 23, 2025). His marathon speech delayed Senate consideration of the House-passed continuing resolution by blocking cloture votes until he yielded (Reuters reporting, October 22, 2025).
Why this matters
Merkley’s speech drew national media attention to executive overreach and the government shutdown, underscoring that symbolic Senate protests cannot override procedural hurdles like the 60-vote cloture rule (Reuters reporting, October 22, 2025; CBS News update, October 23, 2025). The standoff delayed votes on government funding, impacting federal employees, research projects and public services, and highlighted the costs of partisan gridlock (CBS News update, October 23, 2025). Citizens can advocate for Senate rule reform to lower cloture thresholds, support legislation guaranteeing pay for furloughed workers, and urge state attorneys general to challenge militarized National Guard deployments in civilian jurisdictions.
Core Facts
Oregon Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley spoke for 22 hours and 37 minutes on the Senate floor beginning the evening of Oct. 23, 2025. His speech ran through the night and ended on Oct. 24. He said he was protesting what he called President Trump's authoritarian actions.
Merkley called Trump an authoritarian and warned the nation faces a grave threat to its democratic norms. He said the administration was shredding the Constitution. He cited examples such as the halting of research grants, recent indictments of political opponents, and the deployment of National Guard troops to Portland as part of that pattern.
The marathon speech temporarily blocked Senate business and delayed a vote on the House-passed continuing resolution. The Senate could not advance other measures while he held the floor. Lawmakers resumed floor action only after Merkley yielded.
The speech was largely symbolic and meant to draw national attention to executive power and civil liberties during a funding standoff. Democrats used the moment to frame the dispute as part of a broader fight over democratic norms. The episode revived debate about protest tactics and the limits of Senate floor speechmaking.
Key Actors
Jeff Merkley
U.S. Senator from Oregon
Delivered a 22-hour, 37-minute Senate floor speech on Oct. 23-24, 2025. He used the speech to protest what he called President Trump's authoritarian actions.
Donald Trump
President of the United States
Subject of Merkley's criticism for actions Merkley called authoritarian. Merkley cited Guard deployments to Portland, Justice Department indictments of political opponents, and other administration policies as examples.
Senate Republican leadership
Senate GOP leaders (leadership team)
Faced delayed floor business because Merkley's speech postponed votes. They were the main group trying to advance the continuing resolution and other measures interrupted by the speech.
U.S. Department of Justice
Federal law enforcement agency
Referenced in Merkley's speech for bringing indictments that he said were politically motivated. Merkley's remarks questioned DOJ actions under the current administration.
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