WASHINGTON — Democratic U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon concluded a marathon speech opposing Republican President Donald Trump’s agenda on Wednesday, the 22nd day of a government shutdown. “The president believes that he is the king of this country and that he can control everything, regardless of what the law says or what we send him, and we have to collectively … say, ‘Hell no,’” said Merkley, who held the Senate floor for more than 22-and-a-half hours.

Merkley’s speech surpassed that of a fellow Oregonian, former U.S. Senator Wayne Morse, who in 1953 spoke for 22 hours and 26 minutes. Merkley began speaking at 6:21 p.m. EDT on Tuesday and finished at 4:48 p.m. on Wednesday. Merkley is the third congressional Democrat this year to deliver a marathon speech. Senator Cory Booker of Ne

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