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Filibuster
A filibuster, or "talking out a bill", is a form of obstruction in a legislature or other decision-making body. An attempt is made to infinitely extend debate upon a proposal in order to delay the progress or completely prevent a vote on the proposal taking place.
The term 'filibuster' was first used in 1851. It was derived from the Spanish filibustero meaning 'pirate' or 'freebooter'. This term had in turn evolved from the French word flibustier, which itself evolved from the Dutch vrijbuiter (freebooter). This term was applied at the time to American adventurers, mostly from Southern states, who sought to overthrow the governments of Central American states, and was transferred to the users of the filibuster, seen as a tactic for pirating or hijacking debate.[1]
Government of the filibuster and by filibuster: Ever more thoughts on our defective Constitution
Why not a "real" filibuster?
Needless to say, there is much that I agree with in Jack's post on this serving as a potential "constitutional moment." But, for better and worse, I almost literally cannot imagine that there would be sufficient public support for the kind of move that Jack suggests, not least because the Democrats continue to be unwilling to make the fundamental case that this is indeed an exceptional situation...
The first Senator against the filibuster
Regular readers of this blog are familiar with the fact that many of our writers, myself included, think that the Senate filibuster is deeply dysfunctional and should be abolished...
"Make Them Filibuster"
Governor Ed Rendell got some attention today with his demand, "Make them filibuster." But that's not enough -- or even a sensible strategy...
Entrench the Filibuster
With all the discussion of the filibuster, including some evidence of hypocrisy on the part of a certain allegedly anti-pork Senator from Arizona, it occurs to me that the Democrats in Congress might consider something to put the Republicans to the test: Propose an amendment making the filibuster a constitutional rule...
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