Democrat Sen. Jeff Merkley Speaks 17 Hours Against Trump Shutdown/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley delivered a 17-hour Senate speech protesting President Trump’s leadership during the ongoing government shutdown. Merkley accused Trump of authoritarianism and Republicans of undermining healthcare access. The shutdown, now in its third week, has left many federal workers unpaid as partisan gridlock deepens.
Merkley’s Shutdown Protest + Quick Looks
- Sen. Jeff Merkley spoke for over 17 hours straight.
- Protest targeted Trump’s “authoritarian grip” and stalled healthcare support.
- Speech began at 6:21 p.m. Tuesday and continued into Wednesday.
- Merkley blasted GOP for blocking health subsidy extensions during shutdown.
- Shutdown began Oct. 1, leaving staff unpaid across Capitol operations.
- Merkley paused only for questions from fellow Democrats.
- Criticized Trump for attacking the press, enriching elites.
- Compared current government to a “rule by the powerful.”
- Republican Sen. Barrasso slammed Merkley for overworking unpaid staff.
- Sen. Thune provided dinner for Capitol workers during overnight session.
Deep Look: Sen. Jeff Merkley Stages 17-Hour Protest Speech Against Trump During Shutdown
WASHINGTON – October 22, 2025 — In a dramatic and physically grueling protest, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) delivered a marathon speech on the Senate floor lasting more than 17 hours, targeting President Donald Trump’s leadership and the escalating crisis from the ongoing government shutdown.
Beginning his speech at 6:21 p.m. Tuesday, Merkley spoke uninterrupted through the night and into Wednesday afternoon, using the platform to sound what he described as “alarm bells” over the president’s conduct and the Republican Party’s refusal to negotiate on expiring healthcare subsidies.
“I don’t recommend standing through the night and talking,” said Merkley, who turns 69 this week. “Not a healthy pursuit. But I am standing here to ring the alarm bells.”
Shutdown Showdown and Health Care at Center Stage
Merkley’s extended floor time came amid heightened tensions over a shutdown that began on October 1, driven by Democratic demands to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits set to expire at year’s end. Republicans, led by President Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, have refused to discuss the subsidies until Democrats agree to reopen the government.
“Republicans are shutting down the government to slash Americans’ health care,” Merkley charged, citing summer budget cuts to Medicaid and related programs.
The stalemate has resulted in thousands of federal employees going unpaid, including Capitol Police and floor staff who were required to work overnight as Merkley maintained control of the chamber.
Trump’s Authoritarianism in the Spotlight
Merkley devoted large portions of his speech to condemning what he called Trump’s “tightening authoritarian grip” on America. He accused the president of:
- Undermining democratic institutions
- Attacking journalists and media organizations
- Prioritizing the wealthy through tax and economic policies
“This administration wants to replace a government by and for the people with one by and for the powerful,” Merkley warned from the floor.
Breaking Records and Testing Endurance
While Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) currently holds the record for the longest continuous Senate speech—set earlier this year—Merkley is no stranger to long-winded protest. In 2017, he spoke for over 15 hours to oppose Trump’s nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, which at the time was the eighth-longest Senate speech in history.
This week’s address exceeded that time, with Merkley only breaking to answer questions from colleagues or untie tight shoelaces from prolonged standing.
Republicans Push Back
Not everyone in the chamber welcomed Merkley’s protest. Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), the GOP’s No. 2 in the Senate, condemned the move on X (formerly Twitter):
“Democrats are making Capitol Police and support staff — who they refuse to pay — work all night so they can give speeches patting themselves on the back for shutting down the government. How ridiculous is that?”
A spokesperson for Majority Leader Thune, Ryan Wrasse, later added that Thune provided meals for the unpaid workers forced to stay overnight during Merkley’s speech.
Shutdown Continues With No End in Sight
The government has now entered its third week without funding, with a 12th vote scheduled Wednesday on a Republican-led stopgap bill. Democrats have so far blocked 11 attempts to pass temporary funding without securing a commitment on healthcare subsidies.
Merkley and other progressives argue that the situation reflects a dangerous erosion of democratic values under Trump’s leadership. “This isn’t just about healthcare,” Merkley emphasized. “It’s about protecting the foundations of our republic.”
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