Changes

''See also [[Senate rules change]] and [[nuclear option]]''.

''See also [[Senate rules change]] and [[nuclear option]]''.

A '''filibuster''' is the use of speaking privileges to 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 senator can delay a vote by talking for hours and hours, and 41 senators (less than a majority) can defeat a bill.<ref>[[Budget Reconciliation bill]]s cannot be filibustered. Supreme Court nominees could be filibustered until April 6, 2017, when the [[Republican]]s invoked the [[nuclear option]] to end it in order to confirm [[Neil Gorsuch]].</ref> Filibusters do not occur in the House of Representatives because its rules do not allow it. Prior to 1975, merely one-third of the Senate plus one (34 votes) could successful defeat a bill or nomination with a filibuster. The Senate ended use of the filibuster rule for Supreme Court nominees on April 6, 2017.

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. Since 1975, cloture can be passed with a three fifth majority (60 votes).<ref>[[Budget Reconciliation bill]]s cannot be filibustered. Supreme Court nominees could be filibustered until April 6, 2017, when the [[Republican]]s invoked the [[nuclear option]] to end it in order to confirm [[Neil Gorsuch]].</ref> The nuclear option can by adopted by a simple majority of those present. The Senate ended use of the filibuster rule for Supreme Court nominees on April 6, 2017.

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>