Cory Booker links fundraising to 25-hour Senate speech
- Senator Cory Booker delivered a 25-hour speech in the Senate against Trump administration policies.
- His campaign sent fundraising solicitations during and after the speech, prompting an ethics complaint.
- The complaint underscores the violation of Senate ethics rules by intertwining official duties and campaign activities.
In a notable instance, Cory Booker, a Democratic senator from New Jersey, engaged in a marathon speech spanning 25 hours in the Senate, which took place from March 31 to April 1, 2025. The speech served as his vehement denunciation of various policies under the Trump administration, particularly focusing on immigration and deportation issues. As Booker delivered his address, a coordinated series of emails and texts were dispatched by his campaign team and the Democratic National Committee, containing solicitation for contributions linked to his speech. The ethics complaint filed by the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust, a conservative watchdog group, alleges that this act violates established Senate ethics rules that prohibit linking official Senate actions with campaign fundraising activities. The complaint claims this behavior illustrates a disregard for the clear line drawn by ethics regulations that keep government business separate from political fundraising. As per these rules, senators are expected to avoid any appearance that their official duties could be influenced by political contributions. The complaint references six specific instances where campaign messages were sent to supporters during and after Booker's speech. For instance, at 11:19 p.m. on April 1, one message encouraged recipients to contribute financially, stating, "If you were inspired by what you saw today, split a contribution between Cory Booker and the DNC." Another message emphasized the duration of his speech, urging the public to join his campaign. FACT's Executive Director Kendra Arnold highlighted the importance of maintaining the integrity of governmental proceedings, emphasizing that actions such as these could create a dangerous precedent for other senators to blend official duties with campaign fundraising. The complaint suggests that this not only creates an appearance of impropriety but also incentivizes others in Congress to use formal government opportunities for campaign benefits. Spokespeople from Booker’s office did not respond to inquiries regarding the allegations, which were formally submitted to the Senate Ethics Committee leaders, intensifying scrutiny on this matter.