History of the Filibuster Explained

What is a filibuster and how do politicians use it to push their agendas? Here's an explainer of the age-old power play in politics.
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[@MikeSnap85]

In modern times we just call it spam.

[@keshavleitan7800]

lol, good one!

[@rngnodal9316]

Lmfao

[@TheLiamster]

That doesn’t make any sense, “Spam” is a canned meat.

[@theseventhgeneration6910]

Cancel the filibuster. We don't have time for that.

[@ragingshibe]

Its not that simple. The filibuster is a petty and cheap tactic legislators use to basically torture their colleagues into conceding into their demands. But at the same time, it can't be removed outright despite this cuz then the majority party has the power to keep the minority party from getting all their points out or even speaking cuz they can just claim the opposition speaking is using the filibuster and shut them down, which is a pretty undemocratic move and just as bad as keeping the filibuster the way it is.

[@stormfalcon1232]

@@ragingshibe Majority over minority is still better than minority over majority.

[@Castle_Bravo.]

GOP: i am going to take as long as I want because I can Bernie: im here today to take as long as i can to explain to American people...

[@jmb3608]

Good point: the difference between the two parties, or rather the GOP and Bernie and other democrats like him (so not many, unfortunately). Stay safe.

[@greeneyedlady5580]

@@samkar2212 Jeff Merkley's filibuster (2nd to last one shown) against the nomination of Gorsuch was a worthwhile one, in support of the Constitution. Merkley is usually on the right side of issues, as is the other Oregon Senator, Ron Wyden. Both of them were among the few Senators who backed Bernie when he kept the Senate from leaving town for the New Year's holiday, as Bernie argued for larger direct payments and an improved Covid-19 relief bill.

[@greeneyedlady5580]

@@samkar2212 What???

[@jumrum]

bernie actually voted with rand paul on the issue he was filibustering so take that as you wish

[@Pier77Tampa]

At the very least, some senators would read the Constitution to filibuster....Ted Cruz reads Dr.Seuss...just saying.

[@khalimero99]

Well at least it is a bout trying some thing you don't like. one could say that is quiet progressive for Lying Ted..

[@1darkironman1]

Ted is trying his best to dumb down as much as he can for the people who voted for him but they might think green eggs and ham is code for some insane QAnon conspiracy theory

[@JSkyGemini]

Seems to be a thing with loser republicans. I remember George W Shrub reading My Pet Goat when they told him the World Trade towers had been hit. Is this their actual reading level? It sure looks like it is for their base.

[@SteadilyGrinding]

A "filibuster" sounds like a wrestling move you practice on your younger sibling...

[@justapercyjacksonfan5319]

Rip to younger siblings

[@fl0atpvnk]

Or something from the old west

[@mysliceoflife5420]

I'm seriously saddened that this is how our democracy plays out. These people know nothing of modern day America, but they make the choices for everyone. And these choices are bullied around by filibusters. Watching the Senate speak on almost any topic just makes me feel sick that they make the decisions for the rest of us.

[@JSkyGemini]

I agree and I'm not even American. It's a glaring, very unflattering look at the US's politics. As if the last 4 years wasn't enough, people actually still vote for these fools. Moscow mitch, Lemingrad lindsey, susan he-learned-his-lesson collins...somebody even reelected these clowns.

[@jacobcasmus1882]

America doesn't have nor is a democracy. We are a Republic! People tend to forget that.

[@tachobrenner]

​@@jacobcasmus1882Democratic republic.

[@michaelterrell5061]

Do you have a better alternative?

[@VSchwarcz]

That filibuster thing is outrageous! Your taxes being wasted

[@CM13051]

Shocker that Rand Paul and Ted Cruz are on this list 🙄

[@stanislausklim7794]

Rand Paul was filibustering the nomination of Brennan since Brennan was for the use of drone strikes against suspected terrorists in the US without due process.

[@Icewind007]

It sounds like the people need to kicks these fools out and upgrade the idiocy going on at our expense.

[@chrisandlizsizemore8172]

Despite the nefarious reasons and its use as strategic play, it's still an impressive feat - especially considering their 'age' and the ailments that come with it.

[@nostalgicwarframeplayer1231]

I could have sworn I was watching The Onion

[@IridescenceStudios]

It still seems ridiculous to me that this is allowed. It's quite literally wasting time avoiding the issue.

[@zacharyminton73]

Seems childish and completely ineffective and pointless - if a filibuster has never stopped legislation from being passed, then what's the purpose?

[@idkwhatnametochoose6197]

It delays the process.

[@idkwhatnametochoose6197]

@Master Miller How is that a good thing? Now you say “my country” so it might be different.

[@lillic8522]

Why not just walk out and let them filibuster all night long, and then come back and vote in the morning? Viewed from Europe, US politics is weird!!!

[@martinplayz8645]

Yes, you don't have to be in the room listening to the person filibustering. But you can't hold a vote on a bill until the debate has ended which needs 60 votes

[@bngr_bngr]

Hyping must not know about Italian politics

[@kaitlnwhite6809]

Surprised there’s no Mr. Smith Goes to Washington references here.

[@TheIndianalain]

First image that came to my mind! What an unforgettable and moving performance by the immense Jimmy Stewart!

[@Cbase125]

End the filibuster !!!

[@victoriaborzillo4893]

This is insanity. This is our represenators their clowns,so if this is filibustering there has to be time limit on speakers.

[@lion-667]

There should also be term limits on congress.

[@NoflectioN]

Lol representators? 😆

[@stormfalcon1232]

@@NoflectioN A lot of them don't represent us 🙂

[@NoflectioN]

@@stormfalcon1232 especially since there's no such thing as a represenator. There Is however Representatives and Senators 🤣

[@kdawson020279]

"Now the room must listen to me Filibuster vigilantly My name is blue Canary One note spelled l-i-t-e" Thanks to They Might Be Giants, that word has been in my vocabulary since 1990.

[@jimmclean9312]

They could stop Rand Paul from Filibustering by making it a requirement that he actually made sense

[@monotheisticmortal5122]

Then he'd just go on for hours and hours debating and arguing about every single thing that he sees wrong about the bill in question, in short; nothing can really stop this man from filibustering for hours, senators like him have proven and said repeatedly that they won't stop until it will kill them to go on for any longer.

[@joseortega-us6rn]

I got a better idea, bring his neighbor specialist in pain Dr. Rene Bouchere, he already gave Rant Paul a nice Whoop.

[@jessetorres8738]

Here's my question: If pretty much everything decided/voted on in The House can get passed by just a 1 vote majority, then why is that not the case for The Senate/why do they need the filibuster?

[@themotherclucker5046]

The republicans eliminated the filibuster (everything needs a simple majority) in the house while in the senate that move has not yet been done

[@thrawn7600]

Ask that to republiCons.

[@bngr_bngr]

@@themotherclucker5046 Aaron Burr wasn’t a Republican

[@Ilovegrunge123]

@@thrawn7600 Sinema and Manchine are for keeping the fillibuster.

[@zacharymarentette5269]

Because the Senate is different from the house. The House is intended to act on the behalf of the majority of the country, the Senate in response is to be used as a check, guaranteeing that anything that is to be passed is not especially disastrous to those in the minority.

[@susanbodell194]

Paul looks like Alice. 😂. And his master is in Florida swamp land. 🤓

[@levil7324]

"Everyone in this chamber knows that if the majority chooses to end the filibuster, if they choose to change the rules and put an end to democratic debate, then the fighting, and the bitterness, and the gridlock will only get worse." - Barack Obama

[@McNessie101]

I still don’t understand what’s to be gained by obstructing the passing of a bill simply by talking at length

[@c.labenzzzz5883]

Minority party can actually have some form of power in congress

[@aldamato1048]

I do not intend to yield. The filibuster ensures that there’s compromise on various issues. Keep the filibuster. Chris Murphy shouldn’t use the filibuster, he said he was against it.

[@olddoug8945]

THE FILIBUSTER DOES NOT ENSURE COMPROMISE. IT GIVES A SMALL MINORITY THE MEANS TO DEFEAT THE MAJORITY. IT IS UNAMERICAN TRASH.

[@user-fo3ug3cr4m]

I can recommend the Bernie Sanders Lofi filibuster.

[@spookyboi8446]

Only thing people ahould know about the filibuster is that it should be thrown in the garbage along with all of the other failed political tools.

[@ec6052]

But to be fair Bernie has given longer toasts...

[@Daniea3]

Sanders used the filibuster for good. To stop Bush's tax cuts to corporate America and cut disability benefits.

[@ec6052]

@@Daniea3 And the sky is blue. Two things that didn't need an explanation lol

[@OhLookItsJonBoy]

Each party hates the filibuster when they’re not in power.

[@Maplelust]

it's always sunny already gave me all the information I needed.

[@chinomoreno7654]

In third country, from primary vote to the senate room vote by simple majority (50 +1% vote), in the greatest democracy country in the world, voter register, garrymander, win by electro colege, and filibuster...etc...

[@fwily2580]

Why are you shaming someone who is committed to the people they represent?

[@MartsEntertainment]

The fact we actually allow anyone to get in the way of legislation is disgusting.

[@anthonymalone4714]

So basically trolling each other🙄

[@omiaht]

only in Merica.....

[@Hardeleiar]

I am confused about this tactic. so one guy just have the right to keep talking and talking.... can't the senate pass the law the next day? or the law has to be pass on that day?

[@lenny7822]

The point of Filibuster is to delay as much as possible. Imagine the first day they filibuster, second day another guy filibuster, and then on and on. This would delay the presidents agenda long enough that his other things he wants to do, now he can't. And when election comes around, He's most likely gonna get voted out because "He promised all that stuff, he has the house and the senate with him why couldn't he get his stuff done". I hope this explains it a bit!

[@erickruckenberg8716]

The legal scapegoat to behave like Eric Cartman

[@chucknorris1920]

What is wrong with American politics...

[@JSkyGemini]

What's right would have a much shorter answer.

[@marisela7825]

So when the one guy went to the bathroom at 4am did they vote in his favor or against him? If they waited til then i will guess they voted against him?

[@greeneyedlady5580]

They passed what he was trying to obstruct.

[@marisela7825]

@@greeneyedlady5580 wow, so all that talking and they got him anyway on a bathroom break?!?! He was probably very upset that day! To be a fly on the wall when he came back from the restroom! Lol thanks for your reply. I am definitely interested in looking into that piece of history now.

[@greeneyedlady5580]

@@marisela7825 You're most welcome.

[@asherthomas7753]

All I need to know about the filibuster is that it needs to stay in place

[@Daniea3]

Sen Sanders also stopped cutting disability benefits.

[@kathleenbrewer4870]

Bring it back NO fillibuster

[@karenKristal]

if you want to do a bit of filibustering you want Cory B on your team! I bet the republicans were like 'ohhhh godddddd' when they realised it was his turn lol

[@stevefromsaskatoon830]

So what's the exact strategy for filibustering? , I don't get it they didn't explaine that part . Why does it help them to delay the vote by plus or minus 24 hours?

[@spoon7313]

Yes I like green eggs and ham 👆🏻😂

[@mukelorata2100]

2010’s Bernie looked as old as today’s Bernie. He hasn’t aged.

[@janea4777]

Rubio should stick to quoting Bible verses on Twitter.

[@maxfriis]

The filibuster is needed because of the flawed nature of a two party system. It's only twice as good as a one party system. In one party systems there are no dialogue and learning. In a two party system you need the filibuster to have dialogue and learning. In a ten party system the legislators have to communicate and shop around for a majority and whoever is willing to give in most on there principles will get real influence. Also if you happened to vote for a small party your representation still have influence if they chose to. In a two party system you need a filibuster type arrangement or 49% of the representatives are always ignored once the 51% figure out they can do that and call it democracy. Democracy is an honest open conversation where disputes are settled by vote if compromise can't be found.

[@RoGersVision]

What about Mr. Smith goes to Washington 😂

[@nextuplevelup4119]

Crooks

[@texasrepojoe6755]

In 1964 the democrats had the longest filibuster in US history. It lasted 75 days. Do you know what bill they were trying to prevent from becoming law? The civil rights bill.

[@msmith1418]

I wish God gave THEM *ALL* Laryngitis.

[@monotheisticmortal5122]

*excepting those who didn't actually block any bills, especially those who made effective speeches such as Bernie Sanders and Chris Murphy + Cory Booker.

[@jasonhenning9748]

Strom Thurman…he seems like he stood for what he believes in. Literally

[@cloggietony]

How stupid can they be?

[@sunsiren8571]

Wait and watch what Marjorie taylor greene does with it, arghhh

[@stormfalcon1232]

She's not a senator, thank god. And the House has already eliminated the filibuster,

[@chrisninamartinez3851]

WHATTTTT???? THIS EXIST????

[@chris5483]

What a joke.

[@idkwhatnametochoose6197]

1:10 Yes it has, you’ve just got the wrong reason.

[@cybercery5271]

This is quite funny to watch

[@fusadiluna]

I still don't understand what a filibuster is

[@archevenault]

Politicians trying to drag something out as long as possible because they dont like something

[@teddyjones3093]

It's a tool that Senators use to prevent something from passing with a 51 vote majority. When the filibuster is used, the legislation being voted on needs a 60 vote majority, which is usually impossible to get cause of partisanship.

[@mybuttsmellslikebutterbut207]

Here we go again with another 4 years of no progress because stupid senators.

[@martinplayz8645]

Basically: You need 60 votes to pass a bill instead of 51. It was meant to encourage Senators to work together to find a compromise but it's just caused the Senate to become completely paralyzed

[@Pier77Tampa]

Basically stalling, keep the Country hostage

[@rqrs2301]

I'm disgusted by this whole scene

[@czgibson3086]

How can America be described as a functioning democracy as long as the filibuster exists? All it achieves is legislative gridlock.

[@malachidaklown6114]

Humanz don't make sense to me....like....AT ALL!!!!!😕

[@kathleenbrewer4870]

15 minutes is long enough. Understand what Say the truth and it's over

[@zebontheweb]

Tax money hardly at work.

[@sarahemf]

Goodness if you can’t get your points across in less then an hour then you need to reconsider your speech. Why waste the government, the people’s money on lengthy speeches. And go back to a simple a majority to pass things. Because it creates a back log and no progress

[@AbsoluteNut1]

Filibuster; get rid of it. Unlimited Presidential pardons? GONE! Electoral College? Freaking joke, gone. Riders and amendments? No more. And, the one thing that REALLY needs to go: The GOP.

[@olddoug8945]

THE ONE THING THAT REALLY NEEDS TO GO: DARK MONEY.

[@horoszkodevora360]

This is why people think politicians are bad...what grown up reads Dr Seuss? He's one of our countries leaders, childish, selfish, self serving mentalities. Ughh just fustrating

[@angelmendiola2002]

Huey Long 🇺🇸

[@tharunzachariahjacob6981]

How can y'all waste time like this?!?

[@bentcn8511]

MLK JR predicted the filibuster abuse.

[@pateudy6633]

We have to work under a Republican government

[@shawnshell5961]

This appears to be a third grade playground fight.

[@kukluxklan9521]

Breadliners better get used to the filibuster as well,senator manchin isn't going to let the breadliners take over

[@skyclintliquit7814]

Filipinos: El Filibusterismo???

[@PhamNicolas99]

USA is such a joke 😂😂😂

[@moia9518]

Filibuster is great

[@Lyela.East.]

First

[@bubbercakes528]

This sickens me. Watching republican senators act like they represent all of the people and not just the rich.

[@kgsniper4850]

What I heard about the Republican Party and Democrat they apply both to the rich just different types of rich.

[@erickruckenberg8716]

People who filibuster had nothing to their way in life and this is how they took it back

[@katharinesantana7147]

As a proud Latina in the USA, I'm so glad we have a filibuster. This is and should always remain part of our system. I'm sad to see such a biased video spreading low-level information in hopes to rally enough support from people to push for its removal. It's essential to our democratic republic. Like it or not.

[@Chargedolt]

Katharine Santana it's literally just a political temper tantrum. These people need to go find some reason and good arguments instead of frustrating people into doing what they want.

[@lottat6420]

Bernie is the only one I could stand to hear.

[@6FigureTrigger]

As if both sides don't do it. The party blindness is pathetic af

[@timmylewis3287]

Now this. Tell me the 1989 Tiananmen massacrer happen and I will believe you

[@user-rl2hk4cl7d]

fillbuster not mistake

[@CameronBrtnik]

What a coincidence..the filibuster was "a mistake" and so was Ted Cruz!