The most remarkable thing about Senator Cory Booker’s record-breaking 25-hour speech in the U.S. Senate wasn’t his stamina — it was his courage.

Booker said what most members of Congress, including our own representatives, are afraid to say: that our democracy and economy are in grave danger. While others tremble to offer even mild criticism of the Trump administration, Booker boldly told the truth: “In just 71 days, the president of the United States has inflicted so much harm on Americans’ safety, financial stability, the core foundations of our democracy.”

For a full day and night, Booker described how the administration has attacked ordinary Americans while paving the way for tax cuts that overwhelmingly benefit billionaires. He cited cuts to Social Security, consumer protections, veterans’ services, public health, science, and education.

The TikTok livestream of his speech got 350 million “likes.”

Booker urged Americans to look at their own wallets. “Are you better off than you were 72 days ago economically?” he asked. “Ask your friends – are they better off economically? Prices are up, the stock market is down, the risk of recession is growing, consumer confidence is in the gutter.”

And the Trump tariffs haven’t even hit yet.

“These are not normal times in America,” Booker told viewers. “And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate.” He’s right. Silence is complicity. It’s time for every senator — including our own Dave McCormick and John Fetterman — to find the courage to speak up.

RICK THOMAS

Lewisburg

Submitted by Virtual Newsroom