Filibuster: A Legislative Tactic with a Long and Controversial History

Introduction

In the world of politics, where debate and compromise are essential elements, there exists a tactic that has been both praised and condemned: the filibuster. A filibuster is a parliamentary tactic used to delay or obstruct the passage of legislation by prolonging debate indefinitely. This tactic has a long and controversial history, with proponents arguing its necessity for protecting minority rights and opponents criticizing its potential for abuse.

A Historical Perspective

The filibuster originated in the Roman Republic, where senators could use prolonged speeches to prevent legislation from being passed. This tactic was later adopted by the United States Senate, where it has been used throughout its history. In the early days of the Senate, filibusters were relatively rare, but they became more common in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

One of the most famous examples of a filibuster occurred in 1957, when Senator Strom Thurmond (D-SC) spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes in an attempt to block the Civil Rights Act of 1957. Thurmond's filibuster was ultimately unsuccessful, but it highlighted the potential impact of this tactic.

Filibuster Today

In recent years, filibusters have become increasingly common in the United States Senate. In the 115th Congress (2017-2018), there were 328 cloture motions filed, a record number. This increase in filibusters has led to growing debate about the future of this tactic.

Arguments for Filibusters

Proponents of filibusters argue that they are necessary to protect the rights of minority parties and to prevent the passage of legislation that is not supported by a majority of the Senate. They also contend that filibusters allow for more thorough debate and consideration of legislation, which can lead to better outcomes.

Arguments Against Filibusters

Opponents of filibusters argue that they can be used to obstruct the passage of legislation that has majority support, and that they give undue power to a small number of senators. They also contend that filibusters can lead to gridlock in the Senate and prevent progress on important issues.

Effective Filibuster Strategies

There are a number of different strategies that senators can use to filibuster legislation. These strategies include:

• Speaking at length on the floor of the Senate
• Filing multiple amendments to the legislation
• Submitting procedural motions to delay the process

Pros and Cons of Filibusters

Pros:

• Protect the rights of minority parties
• Allow for more thorough debate and consideration of legislation
• Can lead to better outcomes

Cons:

• Can be used to obstruct the passage of legislation that has majority support
• Give undue power to a small number of senators
• Can lead to gridlock in the Senate and prevent progress on important issues

Three Real-World Examples of Filibusters

• 1957: Senator Strom Thurmond (D-SC) filibusters the Civil Rights Act of 1957 for 24 hours and 18 minutes.
• 2013: Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) filibusters the nomination of Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense for 21 hours and 19 minutes.
• 2017: Democrats filibuster the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, but ultimately fail to block his appointment.

What We Can Learn from These Examples

These examples illustrate the potential impact of filibusters, both positive and negative. They show that filibusters can be used to delay or obstruct legislation, but they can also be used to highlight important issues and force further debate.

Conclusions

The filibuster is a powerful tactic that has the potential to both protect minority rights and obstruct progress on important issues. It is a tool that has been used throughout the history of the United States Senate, and it is likely to continue to be used in the future. The debate over the future of the filibuster is likely to continue, as it is a complex and multifaceted issue with no easy answers.

Additional Resources

• The Filibuster: A Historical Overview
• The Filibuster: A Primer
• The Filibuster: An Explainer

Appendix

Table 1: Filibusters in the United States Senate

Table 2: Senators Who Have Filibustered the Most

Table 3: Filibusters That Have Had the Most Impact