Changes

The fundamental issue to those who defend the right to filibuster has been the protection of minority rights.  The desire to weaken presidential influence over the upper chamber, not free speech, was instrumental in the decisions of 1826 and 1828 that gave the Senate the ultimate authority to discipline its members. The defeat of the 1856 amendment requiring a Senator to confine himself to the question under debate marked the beginning of over a century of unrestricted debate. The defense of lengthy debate by [[John C. Calhoun]] was a matter of senatorial courtesy, but for his successors it became an inalienable, abstract right.<ref>Richard R. Beeman, "Unlimited Debate in the Senate: the First Phase," ''Political Science Quarterly'' 1968 83(3): 419-434</ref>

The fundamental issue to those who defend the right to filibuster has been the protection of minority rights.  The desire to weaken presidential influence over the upper chamber, not free speech, was instrumental in the decisions of 1826 and 1828 that gave the Senate the ultimate authority to discipline its members. The defeat of the 1856 amendment requiring a Senator to confine himself to the question under debate marked the beginning of over a century of unrestricted debate. The defense of lengthy debate by [[John C. Calhoun]] was a matter of senatorial courtesy, but for his successors it became an inalienable, abstract right.<ref>Richard R. Beeman, "Unlimited Debate in the Senate: the First Phase," ''Political Science Quarterly'' 1968 83(3): 419-434</ref>

Until 1915, the Senate could end a filibuster by voting to suspend the rules by a simple majority. This motion is now rare in the Senate, but it is still common means of limiting debate in the House of Representative. In response to the successful filibuster of a bill to arm American merchant ships in 1917, the Senate adopted Rule 22, which allows the Senate to end a filibuster by a two-thirds vote. In 1975, the vote required for cloture was reduced to three-fifths.

Until 1915, the Senate could end a filibuster by voting to suspend the rules by a simple majority. This motion is now rare in the Senate, but it is still a common means of limiting debate in the House of Representative. In response to the successful filibuster of a bill to arm American merchant ships in 1917, the Senate adopted Rule 22. This rule allows the Senate to end a filibuster by a two-thirds vote.

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.

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==