Filibuster

Definition

The filibuster is a parliamentary procedure where a senator or group of senators prolong debate on a bill to delay or prevent a vote from taking place. It allows a determined minority to block or delay the majority from passing legislation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The filibuster is a key tool used by the Senate minority party to influence or block legislation, even when they lack the votes to defeat a bill outright.
2. Filibusters contribute to partisan polarization and gridlock, as the Senate majority must often negotiate with or compromise with the minority to overcome filibusters.
3. The filibuster has evolved over time, with the Senate adopting cloture rules to allow a supermajority to end debate and force a vote.
4. While the filibuster is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, it has become an entrenched Senate tradition that shapes the legislative process.
5. The reconciliation process allows certain budget-related bills to bypass the filibuster, contributing to its use as a legislative tactic.

Review Questions

• Explain how the filibuster relates to the concept of divided government and partisan polarization.
  • The filibuster allows the Senate minority party to delay or block legislation, even when the opposing party controls the presidency and both chambers of Congress. This contributes to divided government and partisan polarization, as the majority party must often compromise or negotiate with the minority to overcome filibusters and advance their agenda. The filibuster empowers the minority to influence the legislative process, even when they lack the votes to defeat a bill outright.
• Describe the role of the filibuster in the institutional design and organization of Congress.
  • The filibuster is a key feature of the Senate's institutional design, shaping the legislative process and power dynamics between the majority and minority parties. It allows a determined minority to delay or prevent a vote on a bill, requiring the majority to secure a supermajority to overcome the filibuster. This influences how the Senate organizes its committees, schedules floor votes, and negotiates compromises, as the majority party must account for the threat of a filibuster when advancing legislation.
• Evaluate the impact of the filibuster on the overall legislative process in Congress, particularly in the context of divided government and partisan polarization.
  • The filibuster has a significant impact on the legislative process in Congress, often contributing to gridlock and frustrating the majority party's ability to enact its agenda, especially during periods of divided government and heightened partisan polarization. While the filibuster is intended to promote compromise and moderation, it can also empower the minority party to obstruct legislation and force the majority to make concessions. This dynamic has fueled calls for filibuster reform, as lawmakers debate the appropriate balance between majority rule and minority rights in the legislative process.

Related terms

Cloture:

A procedure in the United States Senate to end a filibuster and force a vote on a bill or other matter. It requires a supermajority of 60 senators to invoke.

Unanimous Consent: An agreement in the U.S. Senate that allows the chamber to act quickly on a bill or other matter without the need for a formal vote, typically requiring the consent of all senators present.

Reconciliation:

A legislative process in the U.S. Congress that allows certain budget-related bills to be passed with a simple majority in the Senate, bypassing the filibuster.