Rand Paul launches talking filibuster against John Brennan

Sen. Rand Paul's (R-Ky.) talking filibuster against John Brennan's nomination as CIA director ended after nearly early 13 hours.

“I would go for another 12 hours to try to break Strom Thurmond’s record, but I’ve discovered that there are some limits to filibustering and I’m going to have to go take care of one of those in a few minutes here," Paul said as he ended his marathon speech.

Paul began speaking just before noon Wednesday on the Senate floor in opposition to Brennan's nomination, saying that he planned to speak "for the next few hours" in a rare talking filibuster.

Watch live video from the Senate floor below:

Paul, who strongly opposes the Brennan nomination and the Obama administration's use of unmanned aerial drones, became the first senator to make use of the procedural tactic in more than two years and the first to do so since the Senate approved a bipartisan rules reform package in January.

Paul has since been joined in his symbolic effort by Republican Sens. Mike Lee (Utah), Ted Cruz (Tex.), Jerry Moran (Kan.), Marco Rubio (Fla.), Saxby Chambliss (Ga.) and Pat Toomey (Pa.). He has also gotten some bipartisan support from Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden (Ore.). Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) brought Paul an apple and a thermos of tea -- a possible reference to the film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, in which Jimmy Stewart brings out similar provisions.