A filibuster is a procedural tactic used in a legislative body, most famously in the U.S. Senate, to delay or block action on a bill or other measure by extending debate, often through prolonged speeches or other delaying techniques. In the Senate, it typically requires 60 votes to invoke cloture and end the debate, though the exact rules can vary by context and over time. Key points
- Purpose: Used by a minority to prevent a vote or to extract concessions from the majority.
- How it works: A senator or group can speak for an extended period or employ other delaying motions to stall consideration.
- Cloture: A mechanism (commonly requiring 60 votes) to end debate and proceed to a vote on the measure.
- Etymology: The term originates from the Spanish word filibustero, meaning a freebooter or pirate, reflecting its historical sense of obstruction or disruption.
- Variants: Some parliaments have different debate rules; the basic idea is delaying or blocking decision through extended discussion or procedural moves.
If you’d like, I can tailor this to a specific country’s legislature or explain notable historical filibusters (like Strom Thurmond’s 24-hour speech) or discuss current debates about reform or elimination of the filibuster in particular contexts.
