Simple Civics
Filibusters
1/10/2022 | 2m 38sVideo has Closed Captions
Do filibusters foster bipartisan cooperation? Or stop democracy in its tracks?
Filibusters have a long history and are often a hot topic. But are filibusters helpful or harmful to the political process? Well, that's up for debate! This episode of Simple Civics explores the purpose and history behind the senate's mysterious game-changer.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
Simple Civics is a local public television program presented by WFYI
Simple Civics
Filibusters
1/10/2022 | 2m 38sVideo has Closed Captions
Filibusters have a long history and are often a hot topic. But are filibusters helpful or harmful to the political process? Well, that's up for debate! This episode of Simple Civics explores the purpose and history behind the senate's mysterious game-changer.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship- Welcome everyone to the great Senate debate.
In this corner, we have the star of stalling, the legend of loquaciousness, procrastination in legislation, the champion of talking for a very long time.
Filibuster.
And in this corner, we have the challenger to all things chatty, the opposite of talkative, the champion of let's move things along, Cloture.
I can't wait to see how many rounds they fight it out.
(upbeat music) The filibuster was created by the US Senate to delay voting on opposed legislation.
Senators typically do this by giving long speeches or lengthy debates.
The filibuster is thought to be an accidental change, resulting from the 1806 adjustment to the rules of the Senate.
The use of filibusters can both balance the power of the majority and give more voice to the minority in the Senate.
Multiple changes have been made to the filibuster over the years, the most recent occurring in 1975, allowing a simple majority vote to invoke cloture, meaning the debate is formally brought to an end.
Cloture was originally introduced as a way to end debate in order to vote on legislation.
So why are filibusters highly contested?
Historically, the filibuster has been used by states to block or delay legislation, which would protect civil rights and ensure equality.
In fact, the record for the longest single person filibuster in US history was performed by South Carolina Senator, Strom Thurman in an attempt to stop passing of the Civil Rights act of 1957.
The filibuster failed to prevent the bill's passing or change any votes.
So how does this affect legislation passing today?
Sometimes even the simple threat of filibustering legislation is enough to discourage bills from being proposed, especially if they are not expected to pass.
On the other hand, filibusters have benefited both parties, historically.
Filibusters are even thought to encourage compromise among Democrats and Republicans.
Currently, Democrats are pressuring President Biden to eliminate the filibuster because it disproportionately prioritizes the minority vote.
So what do you think?
Do filibusters encourage compromise or do they stop democracy in its tracks?
Simple Civics is a local public television program presented by WFYI