The “No Kings” movement made its way to the Capitol this week as Sen. Jeff Merkley, Democrat of Oregon, held the floor for 22 hours and 39 minutes from Tuesday evening to Wednesday afternoon, escalating Democrats’ battle against President Trump just days after millions across the country protested his administration’s actions.
Merkley, a three-term senator, began speaking at 6:21 p.m. Tuesday and held the floor until 5 p.m. Wednesday to protest what he called the president’s “authoritarian” actions on multiple fronts, led by his deployment of the National Guard in Portland, Oregon.
The speech took place three weeks ago and made it clear how far apart the two sides are. Democrats, who wrapped their calls for expanding Affordable Care Act subsidies into the funding bill, cheered Merkley, while Republicans dismissed the speech as histrionics.
Although the dynamics of the shutdown fight are unlikely to change, it was another attempt by Democrats to engage their frustrated base in opposition to Trump.
“People kept saying [at town halls]“Why can’t you do more?” There’s nothing else you can do?'” Merkley said after the speech. “The idea came to mind that we need to … dramatize how quickly authoritarianism is advancing.” [actions are] happens.”
He later added: “It felt like the right moment in the middle of the week… and after Saturday’s No Kings march had set the mood. I didn’t want the momentum to die down.”
Merkley said that to prepare for the speech, his “last drink of water, anything…was breakfast on the plane Monday morning.” [to Washington].” He said that at one point during the speech he felt like he was about to dim.
His colleagues, many of whom appeared in the room to ask long-winded questions, highlight certain topics and give Merkley a break from speaking, agreed on the timing.
“It’s a continuation of Saturday’s No Kings rally. Seven million people came out to defend our democracy,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) told The Hill. “Senator Merkley is carrying this through to the Senate.”
“Republicans may not want to hear it. They may cover their ears, they may not show up in their home districts or attend town hall meetings, but Democrats are determined to do as much as they can to force Republicans in Congress to confront head-on how Donald Trump is undermining our democracy and how they are enabling it, but they also have the power to put a stop to it,” she added.
Merkley has been known for years as a steadfast progressive lawmaker and has spoken out against Trump and Republicans’ increasing authoritarian tendencies over the years.
Throughout the speech, he delved deeply into this sentiment, attempting to “ring the alarm bells” in the country about Trump’s attempts to “trample” the Constitution.
“We are in the most dangerous moment, the greatest threat to our republic since the Civil War,” Merkley said.
The Oregon Democrat pointed to the Justice Department’s recent indictments of several prominent Trump opponents, Republican cuts to health care and the revocation of university research grants to support his arguments.
The address also came at a crucial time for his state, as an appeals court recently approved the Trump administration to send National Guard troops to Portland, his state’s largest city.
“I believe this is an extremely important message,” said Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the state’s senior senator. “Our city is in the eye of the storm.”
“We’ve talked about it several times. He didn’t just make it up. … He’s been talking about the effects of authoritarianism for some time,” Wyden said, noting that the topic came up again and again at her weekly Thursday breakfast and in meetings with her chiefs of staff. “He thought about it for weeks.”
Senate Democrats were largely unaware of Merkley’s plans until Tuesday. Senate Minority Leader Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) told The Hill that his move to retain the floor was a “surprise.”
The speech also comes in the midst of the shutdown, which is dragging on with no end in sight. Democrats are loudly calling for an extension of the increased health care subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of the year. States have released their cost estimates ahead of open enrollment, with ObamaCare premiums set to skyrocket.
That hasn’t dampened Republican sentiment, as Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has insisted that talks cannot begin until Democrats agree to reopen the government.
This has led to a stalemate that shows no signs of abating. Shortly after Merkley finished his speech, the Senate failed for the twelfth time to advance a bill to reopen the government.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Tuesday that his caucus voted “strongly” against the continuing resolution passed by the House and will continue to insist on an extension of these tax credits.
The speech angered Senate Republicans, who criticized it for forcing Capitol Police officers and chamber staff to work overnight despite not receiving paychecks.
“I realize it was such an imposition. It was a tremendous imposition,” Merkley said, adding that he thanked the staff, bellmen and officers who worked through the night following his graduation.
They also took direct aim at Merkley’s decision to read a book – “How Democracies Die” by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt – during parts of the night session.
“It is striking that Senator Merkley is willing to talk about any topic imaginable except actually reopening the government,” said Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), no stranger to long speeches and who noted those who were forced to work unpaid overnight.
“From what I understand, some of them weren’t exactly happy about being forced to be there but couldn’t get paid because Schumer and Merkley and the rest of the Democrats are throwing a tantrum to appease their radical base.”
Others were more succinct, saying the speech was nothing but warm air.
“I don’t care. It’s meaningless. He’s talking to himself and maybe some of his radical followers who happened to not sleep last night,” Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) told The Hill. “It’s completely useless. It doesn’t move the dial. It doesn’t solve any problems. It’s meaningless.”
