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A '''filibuster''' is the use of speaking privileges to delay or block a vote, typically in the U.S. Senate. The House of Representatives does not allow filibusters or anything equivalent. Several state legislatures, including the Texas House, have a procedure equivalent to a filibuster.<ref>http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/texas-house-of-representatives/texplainer-what-is-chubbing/</ref>

A '''filibuster''' is the use of speaking privileges to delay or block a vote, typically in the U.S. Senate. The House of Representatives does not allow filibusters or anything equivalent. Several state legislatures, including the Texas House, have a procedure equivalent to a filibuster.<ref>http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/texas-house-of-representatives/texplainer-what-is-chubbing/</ref>

A filibuster can continue until the U.S. Senate votes for either cloture or for the "[[nuclear option]]." From 1917 to 1975, cloture required a two-thirds vote of the Senate. The nuclear option can be adopted by a simple majority of those present. This option was first used in 1975 to revise the cloture rule so that a filibuster can be ended by a three-fifths majority (60 votes).<ref>[[Budget Reconciliation bill]]s cannot be filibustered.</ref> The option has been used on only two other occasions, in 2013 and 2017. In both of these votes, the Senate revised the cloture rule in order to limit the use of the filibuster against presidential nominees.

A filibuster can continue until the U.S. Senate approves either cloture or for the "[[nuclear option]]." From 1917 to 1975, cloture required a two-thirds vote of the Senate. The nuclear option can be adopted by a simple majority of those present. This option was first used in 1975 to revise the cloture rule so that a filibuster can be ended by a three-fifths majority (60 votes).<ref>[[Budget Reconciliation bill]]s cannot be filibustered.</ref> The option has been used on only two other occasions, in 2013 and 2017. In both of these votes, the Senate revised the cloture rule in order to limit the use of the filibuster against presidential nominees.

In general parliamentary procedure, a filibuster is any tactic to delay and avoid a substantive vote by debating it at length, by offering numerous procedural motions, or by any other delaying or obstructive actions.<ref>[https://www.senate.gov/reference/glossary_term/filibuster.htm] US Senate Reference</ref>

In general parliamentary procedure, a filibuster is any tactic to delay and avoid a substantive vote by debating it at length, by offering numerous procedural motions, or by any other delaying or obstructive actions.<ref>[https://www.senate.gov/reference/glossary_term/filibuster.htm] US Senate Reference</ref>

==Famous filibusters==

==Famous filibusters==

In practice 19th century filibusters were successful only at the end of a session, when the clock was ticking.  The Senate thereby refused to vote on the [[Wilmot Proviso]] regarding slavery in 1846.  

In practice, 19th century filibusters were successful only at the end of a session, when the clock was ticking.  The Senate thereby refused to vote on the [[Wilmot Proviso]] regarding slavery in 1846.  

In 1917 a bipartisan group of liberal isolationists led by Senator [[Robert LaFollette]] filibustered a bill to arm American merchant ships that were being attacked by German submarines. War had not been declared and the opponents thought big business was promoting a war with Germany. The filibuster stopped the legislation, but President [[Woodrow Wilson]] used his war powers to arm the ships anyway.<ref>Thomas W. Ryley, ''A Little Group of Willful Men: A Study of Congressional-Presidential Authority,'' (1975)</ref>

In 1917 a bipartisan group of liberal isolationists led by Senator [[Robert LaFollette]] filibustered a bill to arm American merchant ships that were being attacked by German submarines. War had not been declared and the opponents thought big business was promoting a war with Germany. The filibuster stopped the legislation, but President [[Woodrow Wilson]] used his war powers to arm the ships anyway.<ref>Thomas W. Ryley, ''A Little Group of Willful Men: A Study of Congressional-Presidential Authority,'' (1975)</ref>