WASHINGTON — In a striking act of defiance, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) has held the Senate floor for nearly 20 hours, warning that “tyranny has arrived” in America as the federal government shutdown stretches into its fourth week—now the second longest in U.S. history.
Standing beside a large poster reading “Ring the alarm bells: Authoritarianism is here now,” Merkley accused former President Donald Trump of trying to “trample the Constitution” and replace democratic governance with “rule by the powerful.”
Merkley began his speech just after 6 p.m. Tuesday, reading excerpts from How Democracies Die by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt. His remarks touched on alleged attacks on the press, politicization of the Justice Department, military deployments in U.S. cities, and cuts to healthcare programs.
“Trump’s plan is to replace government by and for the people with government by and for the powerful,” Merkley said. “This is an incredible threat to our nation and to the entire vision of our Constitution.”
Filibuster Stalls Senate Action
Merkley’s marathon speech has effectively halted all Senate proceedings, blocking a vote on a House-passed funding bill as the shutdown enters Day 22. His effort follows Sen. Cory Booker’s 25-hour floor speech earlier this year — the longest in Senate history — which also protested what Democrats describe as the Trump administration’s erosion of democratic norms.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said Republicans remain united behind their latest stopgap funding bill, which would extend government funding through November 21. The measure, however, remains five Democratic votes short of passage.
Economic Fallout Deepens
The extended shutdown is beginning to strain both workers and industries nationwide.
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) estimates losses exceeding $650 million in hotel revenue, with each day of the closure costing an additional $31 million in potential bookings. “Economic uncertainty and declining consumer confidence are driving cancellations across the country,” said AHLA President Rosanna Maietta, urging Congress to act swiftly.
Meanwhile, the military’s October 31 payday remains uncertain. Although troops were paid earlier this month, the Shutdown Fairness Act, introduced to guarantee military pay during funding lapses, has stalled in Congress.
Impact on Federal Workers and Families
Roughly 750,000 federal employees have now been furloughed, while another 1.3 million essential personnel continue working without pay. Programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may face funding shortfalls by November, potentially affecting over 42 million Americans.
In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul warned that applications for heating assistance could be delayed amid rising winter energy costs. “Families should not have to choose between food and heat,” she said.
Political Reactions Intensify
Senate Democrats have rallied behind Merkley’s protest. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised the Oregon senator’s “incredible stamina” and “moral clarity,” calling his effort a stand for “American families under Trump’s reckless and corrupt administration.”
Across the aisle, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) blamed Democrats for “prolonging the crisis,” calling the shutdown “shameful” and accusing them of “making history for all the wrong reasons.”
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) has even signaled willingness to temporarily suspend the Senate filibuster to pass a short-term funding measure with a simple majority — a move he said would “end this bad political theater and pay our workers.”
A Nation at a Standstill
The standoff—sparked by disputes over Affordable Care Act subsidies—shows no sign of resolution. Federal operations remain paralyzed, health care programs face uncertainty, and national parks continue to operate with limited staff.
Merkley’s filibuster, echoing past Senate battles, underscores growing alarm among Democrats over what they see as an authoritarian drift in American governance.
“Our founders did not want the president to be a king,” Merkley declared during his speech. “But if we stay silent now, that’s exactly what we’ll get.”
At a Glance: Key Developments
Shutdown Length: 22 days (second longest in U.S. history)
Federal Workers Affected: ~750,000 furloughed, 1.3M working unpaid
Industry Losses: $650 million in hotel revenue, rising daily
Programs at Risk: SNAP, HEAP, TANF, community health centers
Next Senate Vote: Expected later this week on a funding bill through Nov. 21