Changes

==Senate rules==

==Senate rules==

The right of unlimited debate in the Senate was rejected by the [[Founding Fathers]]. The Continental Congress adopted Rule 10. It followed the practice of the British Parliament and precedent allowed a simple majority to cut off debate by a motion for "the previous question." This rule was included in sections 8 and 9 of the rules adopted by the first Senate in 1789, was included in Jefferson's ''Manual of Parliamentary Practice,'' and was part of the Senate's rules until it was removed in 1806. The change in 1806 allowed unlimited debate.   

The right of unlimited debate in the Senate was rejected by the [[Founding Fathers]]. The Continental Congress adopted Rule 10. It followed the practice of the British Parliament and precedent allowed a simple majority to cut off debate by a motion for "the previous question." This rule was included in sections 8 and 9 of the rules adopted by the first Senate in 1789, was included in Jefferson's ''Manual of Parliamentary Practice,'' and was part of the Senate's rules until it was removed in 1806. The change in 1806 allowed unlimited debate, although this was not noticed until much later.   

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>