Filibuster History
Who introduced the filibuster, and what year was it introduced?
Aaron Burr introduced the filibuster in 1805.
In what branch of government are you allowed to use the filibuster?
The Senate.
Which party is more likely to filibuster?
The minority party.
When was the first official filibuster?
The first official filibuster was in 1837.
In what year did Mike Mansfield change the process to filibuster, how did he change it?
In 1975 Mike Mansfield no longer required a lawmaker who was filibustering to speak on the floor of the Senate. The lawmaker only had to warn the Senate that they were going to filibuster.
What do Senators have to say while filibustering?
They can say anything they want.
Who performed the longest filibuster and how long was it?
Strom Thurmond performed the longest filibuster in 1957, it was 24 hours and 18 minutes.
What is the nuclear option?
When the majority party changes the rules to needing a simple majority (51/100) instead of a super majority (60/100) to invoke cloture.
Who must a Senator warn that they are filibustering before they filibuster?
They must warn the leaders of the Senate that they are filibustering.
Who influenced the ability to invoke cloture? When and how did they invoke cloture?
In 1805 Vice President Aaron Burr suggested unlimited debate to the Senate. In 1917 President Woodrow Wilson and the Senate compromised and made it 2/3rds majority to invoke cloture. Mike Mansfield required 60 votes to invoke cloture.
Has the nuclear option been used? If so what was the purpose of it?
It was used twice. Once in 2013 by the Democrats so the Senate would approve of executive branch appointees and federal judges. It was used in 2017 by the Republicans so the Senate would approve of Supreme Court Justice Gorsuch.
What powers did President Woodrow Wilson ask the Senate to give him?
He asked the Senate to give him broad military powers.