Republican Ted Cruz has been speaking on the floor of the US Senate for over 21 hours so far in an attempt to block funding for President Barack Obama's healthcare bill.
While not technically a filibuster, as he has given way for "questions" - allowing other Republicans to speak as well - he is yet to relinquish control of the floor.
One of the questions is understood to have lasted 45 minutes.
The potential presidential contender and Tea Party favourite from Texas has vowed to speak in the Senate for as long as he can.
"I rise today in opposition to Obamacare," said Mr Cruz, as he took to the floor of a largely empty chamber at 2.41 local time on Tuesday.
"And anyone who is trying to make this a battle of personalities is trying to change the topic from the topic that should matter: whether or not Obamacare is helping the American people.
The Senator's children listen to him reciting Dr Seuss Pic@jasonjohnson "Mr President, if you focus on the substance, the evidence is overwhelming. This law is a train wreck."
Last week, the Republican majority in the House approved legislation that would defund the healthcare law as part of a bill to keep the government running past September 30.
However, the Democrats have the majority in the upper chamber, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is expected to easily get the 51 votes needed to strip the healthcare provision from the bill.
Senator Cruz's marathon speech is a bid to stop the bill from advancing to that stage, with a vote due at lunchtime in Washington. The senator must yield control of the floor at noon.
At one point Mr Cruz read out Dr Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham, quoted actor Ashton Kutcher as well as lines from a TV show called Duck Dynasty.
He also brought up children's book, Little Engine That Could, during his argument that the Democratic-controlled Senate is a place where legislation like the Republican bid to defund Obamacare or shut down the government, goes to die.
"That little engine can't," he said, apparently aware of the futility of his efforts.
Mr Cruz is not the first US politician to recently give a marathon speech in an attempt to impact legislation.
Rand Paul of Kentucky spoke non-stop for almost 13 hours earlier this year to block the appointment of John Brennan - President Obama's pick for CIA director.
Wendy Davis filibustered in the Texas State Senate for 11 hours to block an abortion bill in June.
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