Changes

A '''filibuster''' blocks a vote on a bill or nominee, causing its defeat.  The term applies most commonly to the [[United States Senate]], but filibusters exist in many state senates too.  There are variations on a filibuster allowed in some state houses or assemblies, such in the Texas House, where it is called "chubbing".<ref>http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/texas-house-of-representatives/texplainer-what-is-chubbing/</ref>  The U.S. House of Representatives does not allow any filibusters or equivalents.

A '''filibuster''' blocks a vote on a bill or nominee, causing its defeat.  The term applies most commonly to the [[United States Senate]], but filibusters exist in many state senates too.  There are variations on a filibuster allowed in some state houses or assemblies, such in the Texas House, where it is called "chubbing".<ref>http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/texas-house-of-representatives/texplainer-what-is-chubbing/</ref>  The U.S. House of Representatives does not allow any filibusters or equivalents.

Under the rules of the U.S. Senate, one 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.</ref> or nominee by simply voting against [[cloture]] to end debate.  Filibusters do not occur in the House of Representatives because its rules do not allow it.

Under the rules of the U.S. Senate, one 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.</ref> or nominee by simply voting against [[cloture]] to end debate.  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.

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>[http://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>[http://www.senate.gov/reference/glossary_term/filibuster.htm] US Senate Reference</ref>