Sen. Jeff Merkley’s marathon protest against what he called President Donald Trump’s “authoritarian” behavior entered its 19th hour Wednesday morning, holding up a key Senate vote on a House-passed bill to reopen the government for the twelfth time since the shutdown began, and extending hardships for furloughed workers and suspended services.
The Oregon Democrat began his speech at 6:21 p.m. ET Tuesday, arguing that Trump’s actions represent a dangerous expansion of executive power undermining democracy. “We’re in the most perilous moment, the biggest threat to our republic since the Civil War. President Trump is shredding our Constitution,” Merkley warned, framing his protest as a defense of the republic.
Merkley stood beside two placards reading “Authoritarianism is here now!” and “Trump is violating the law.” His address — punctuated only by questions from supportive Democrats — came hours before the Senate was expected to vote again on a funding resolution that faces near-certain defeat.
Filibuster Frustrations Mount
Republicans have expressed growing impatience as Democrats continue to block the temporary funding measure, saying the deadlock leaves federal workers unpaid and essential government services limited. They insist any agreement must include expanded health care subsidies and restrictions on Trump’s use of budget rescissions to cut previously approved spending. Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., criticized Merkley’s late-night hold, arguing that Democrats are prolonging disruption to Americans reliant on government programs.
“The Democrats are going to make Capitol Police and Capitol support staff — who they refuse to pay — work all night so they can give speeches,” Barrasso said on X. “How ridiculous is that?”
The stalemate has led some GOP lawmakers to suggest altering Senate filibuster rules to circumvent future blockades. Several Republicans, according to The Hill, have privately discussed invoking the “nuclear option” if Democrats continue to delay votes.
Democrats Frame the Fight as Moral Resistance
Merkley’s colleagues, meanwhile, defended his speech as a needed stand for democracy. “We are seeing a time now that if we do not ring the alarm bells, more and more Americans will be hurt by a president who is acting more like an authoritarian leader than a democratically elected executive,” said Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., who previously held the record for the longest Senate speech at 25 hours.
Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal drew a direct line between Trump’s policies and what he called a symbolic “wrecking ball” aimed at American institutions. “This destruction that Donald Trump is doing to the White House is emblematic of the wrecking ball he is taking to our democracy,” Blumenthal said, referencing the president’s controversial $200 million demolition of the East Wing to construct a new ballroom.
Merkley, 68, asserted that his goal was to alert Americans to “the disappearance of the fundamental separation of powers.” By referencing How Democracies Die, Merkley emphasized his belief that the U.S. faces a real and immediate risk to its democratic system.
Shutdown Enters Fourth Week as Political Fights Spread
The government shutdown — now in its 22nd day — has paralyzed agencies, forced thousands of federal workers to miss paychecks, delayed government services, and heightened tensions between Congress and the White House. The Senate has already held 11 failed votes on funding measures. “Each day that passes, families are missing paychecks and services are being delayed,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday morning, urging Republicans to “stop playing games with democracy.”
The political gridlock is spilling over into other arenas. In North Carolina, Republican legislators approved a new congressional map expected to give the GOP an additional seat in next year’s elections, prompting Democratic outrage and new court challenges. Nationwide, redistricting battles are intensifying as both parties seek an edge ahead of 2026.
Elsewhere in Washington and Beyond
While the Capitol debates funding and filibusters, President Trump’s public schedule remained light on Wednesday. He is expected to meet with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in the afternoon. His domestic agenda, however, continues to spark controversy — from the East Wing renovation to the deployment of federal troops in Portland and Chicago, which Merkley described as “a terrifying overreach of executive power.”
Later in the day, attention will shift briefly from Washington to New York City, where Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, independent Andrew Cuomo, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa will square off in the second mayoral debate ahead of November’s election.
In the nation’s capital, Merkley’s determined speech has become a symbol of resistance against what he and his allies see as a pivotal battle for American democracy.
