Changes

Before 1917 there was no provision for '''cloture''', or shutting off debate. In response to the successful filibuster of a bill to arm American merchant ships, the Senate adopted the two-thirds rule for cloture putting a halt to debate on an issue.

Before 1917 there was no provision for '''cloture''', or shutting off debate. In response to the successful filibuster of a bill to arm American merchant ships, the Senate adopted the two-thirds rule for cloture putting a halt to debate on an issue.

Originally, two-thirds of the senators actually present would be required for cloture. This meant that all senators had to remain present in the chambers, in case a cloture vote was called. This led to situations where senators would stay all night in the chambers, sleeping on cots placed in the lobby. This type of filibuster was dramatically depicted in the Frank Capra film, "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" (1939), starring [[Jimmy Stewart]] as the brave lone hero who filibusters an evil bill.

Originally, two-thirds of the senators actually present would be required for cloture. This meant that all senators had to remain present in the chambers, in case a cloture vote was called. This led to situations where senators would stay all night in the chambers, sleeping on cots placed in the lobby. This type of filibuster was dramatically depicted in the [[Frank Capra]] film, "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" (1939), starring [[James Stewart|Jimmy Stewart]] as the brave lone hero who filibusters an evil bill.

==Current rules==

==Current rules==