Democrat senator blocks vote to end shutdown to protest Trump's 'authoritarianism' in drawn-out rant

Oct 22, 2025 - 12:28
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Democrat senator blocks vote to end shutdown to protest Trump's 'authoritarianism' in drawn-out rant


Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon is gunning for a record-breaking filibuster in hopes of blocking President Donald Trump's "attempts to trample on the Constitution."

Merkley began his filibuster Tuesday night in order to prevent Trump's "authoritarianism" in the form of a clean, nonpartisan continuing resolution that Democrats have blocked nearly a dozen times. As of early Wednesday afternoon, over 18 hours into his Senate floor spectacle, Merkley appears to be aiming to beat New Jersey Democrat Sen. Cory Booker's record-breaking 25-hour filibuster back in April.

Democrats' $1.5 trillion funding bill aims to undo every policy implemented by Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Addressing an empty chamber, Merkley railed against Trump's efforts to address crime in Portland after an appeals court ruled in favor of the administration deploying the National Guard.

“Portlanders have responded in a very interesting way,” Merkley said. “They are demonstrating with joy and whimsy.”

RELATED: Trump administration mocks outrage of 'unhinged leftists' as construction of ballroom begins at White House

Photo by Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Images

The whimsical response from Portland residents included a horde of naked cyclists temporarily blocking an ICE facility's driveway to protest the crime crackdown. Several arrests were later made after some protesters became rowdy, refusing to move out of the driveway.

"They want to make it clear to the world that what Trump is saying about there being violent protests or a rebellion in Portland,” Merkley said, “it’s just not true.”

RELATED: Appeals court rules Trump can lawfully order National Guard troops to Portland

Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

Due to Merkley's drawn-out floor speech, the Senate has not been able to schedule another vote to reopen the government as the shutdown approaches its fourth week.

Democrats originally shut down the government after they blocked the Republican-led funding bill, allowing the September 30 deadline to lapse. Despite Democrat posturing, the GOP's bill remains a clean continuing resolution with no partisan anomalies.

In contrast, the Democrats' $1.5 trillion funding bill aims to undo every policy implemented by Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Democrats are also insisting on addressing Obamacare subsidies even though they expire at the end of the year.

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Fibis I am just an average American. My teen years were in the late 70s and I participated in all that that decade offered. Started working young, too young. Then I joined the Army before I graduated High School. I spent 25 years in, mostly in Infantry units. Since then I've worked in information technology positions all at small family owned companies. At this rate I'll never be a tech millionaire. When I was young I rode horses as much as I could. I do believe I should have been a cowboy. I'm getting in the saddle again by taking riding lessons and see where it goes.