FILIBUSTER
The unintended consequence
of an 1806 Senate rules
housekeeping change
“the previous question”
motion
“the previous question”
motion
Senators were gentlemen.
They knew when to stop
talking
.
1806
The Senate eliminates rules that are redundant, including that of
making a motion “for the previous question”.
1806
The Senate eliminates rules that are redundant, including that of
making a motion “for the previous question”.
1837
An attempt to stop the expunging of Andrew Jackson’s 1834
censure by the Senate. It failed.
1806
The Senate eliminates rules that are redundant, including that of
making a motion “for the previous question”.
1837
An attempt to stop the expunging of Andrew Jackson’s 1834
censure by the Senate. It failed.
1841
Senator William King filibusters against Senator Henry Clay’s bill to
charter the Second Bank of the United States. The filibuster went
from February 18 to March 11. It succeeded.
1806
The Senate eliminates rules that are redundant, including that of
making a motion “for the previous question”.
1837
An attempt to stop the expunging of Andrew Jackson’s 1834
censure by the Senate. It failed.
1841
Senator William King filibusters against Senator Henry Clay’s bill to
charter the Second Bank of the United States. The filibuster went
from February 18 to March 11. It succeeded.
1917
Cloture comes into being. Requires 2/3 of Senators voting.
1806
The Senate eliminates rules that are redundant, including that of
making a motion “for the previous question”.
1837
An attempt to stop the expunging of Andrew Jackson’s 1834
censure by the Senate. It failed.
1841
Senator William King filibusters against Senator Henry Clay’s bill to
charter the Second Bank of the United States. The filibuster went
from February 18 to March 11. It succeeded.
1917
Cloture comes into being. Requires 2/3 of Senators voting.
1919
Cloture first used successfully to approve the Treaty of Versailles.
1806
The Senate eliminates rules that are redundant, including that of
making a motion “for the previous question”.
1837
An attempt to stop the expunging of Andrew Jackson’s 1834
censure by the Senate. It failed.
1841
Senator William King filibusters against Senator Henry Clay’s bill to
charter the Second Bank of the United States. The filibuster went
from February 18 to March 11. It succeeded.
1917
Cloture comes into being. Requires 2/3 of Senators voting.
1919
Cloture first used successfully to approve the Treaty of Versailles.
1927
1962
11 successful filibusters, mostly by Southern Democratic
Senators opposing civil rights legislation.
1806
The Senate eliminates rules that are redundant, including that of
making a motion “for the previous question”.
1837
An attempt to stop the expunging of Andrew Jackson’s 1834
censure by the Senate. It failed.
1841
Senator William King filibusters against Senator Henry Clay’s bill to
charter the Second Bank of the United States. The filibuster went
from February 18 to March 11. It succeeded.
1917
Cloture comes into being. Requires 2/3 of Senators voting.
1919
Cloture first used successfully to approve the Treaty of Versailles.
1927
1962
11 successful filibusters, mostly by Southern Democratic
Senators opposing civil rights legislation.
1949
Change from 2/3 of Senators voting to 2/3 of all Senators.
1806
The Senate eliminates rules that are redundant, including that of
making a motion “for the previous question”.
1837
An attempt to stop the expunging of Andrew Jackson’s 1834
censure by the Senate. It failed.
1841
Senator William King filibusters against Senator Henry Clay’s bill to
charter the Second Bank of the United States. The filibuster went
from February 18 to March 11. It succeeded.
1917
Cloture comes into being. Requires 2/3 of Senators voting.
1919
Cloture first used successfully to approve the Treaty of Versailles.
1927
1962
11 successful filibusters, mostly by Southern Democratic
Senators opposing civil rights legislation.
1949
Change from 2/3 of Senators voting to 2/3 of all Senators.
1975
Change from 2/3 of all Senators to 3/5 of all Senators.
2/3 of the Senators present and voting
2/3 of the Senators present and voting
Simple majority on the first day of a new
Congress (maybe)
2/3 of the Senators present and voting
Simple majority on the first day of a new
Congress (maybe)
The “nuclear” or “constitutional” option
2/3 of the Senators present and voting
Simple majority on the first day of a new
Congress (maybe)
The “nuclear” or “constitutional” option
By lawsuit through the Supreme Court
Rank State Senator
Time
Purpose
1
SC
Strom Thurmond
24:18
Stop the Civil Rights Act
of 1957
2
NY
Alfonse D’Amato
23:30
Stop removal of military
funding in his state
3
OR
Wayne Morse
22:26
Stall debate on Tidelands
Oil Bill
4
WI
Robert La Follete
18:23
Stop US Treasury from
lending to banks
5
WI
William Proxmire
16:12
Stop increase in the
public debt ceiling
Outcome
Mississippi Senator Theodore Bilbo
filibustered a 1938 anti-lynching bill in
an effort to protect "Saxon civilization."
BUST THE
FILIBUSTER