Filibuster Basics
What branch of government uses the filibuster?
The U.S. Senate
How long did Cory Booker speak?
25 Hours, 8 Minutes
What book did Ted Cruz read during his filibuster?
Green Eggs and Ham
Name one con of the filibuster
Can obstruct essential legislation / can be abused / allows minority to block majority
What is the main purpose of a filibuster?
To delay or block legislation
By how many minutes did Booker break the previous record?
45 minutes
What was Strom Thurmond filibustering against in 1957?
The Civil Rights Act of 1957
Name one pro of the filibuster.
Protects minority rights / encourages debate / acts as a check on power
What vote is required to end a filibuster AND how many votes are needed?
Cloture, requires 60 votes
What did Cory Booker talk about in his speech?
DOGE, Department of Education, Social Security, the Buffalo Bills, a Poetry Contest
In what decade was cloture created to stop a filibuster?
1910s
What was Strom Thurmond's rationale against the Civil Rights Act of 1957?
It was cruel and unusual for the federal government to ensure voting access
What was the DREAM Act intended to do?
Provide legal status to undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children
What are the two languages the word "filibuster" is derived from?
Dutch and Spanish
How long was Strom Thurmond's record-breaking speech?
24 hours and 18 minutes
What did Wisconsin senator Robert La Follette use the filibuster for in 1917?
To demand free speech during wartime
What is funny about Strom Thurmond filibustering against the Civil Rights Act?
He had a half-black daughter
Historically, what type of key reforms has the filibsuter been used to block?
Civil rights reforms
Why is Booker's speech technically NOT considered a filibuster?
It wasn't used to delay or kill legislation in the Senate
What year was the very first session of the Senate where filibuster rules applied?
1789
Which US Senator led a filibuster against the DREAM act in 2010?
Mitch McConnell