What is the Senate Filibuster?

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What is the Senate filibuster?

In the U.S. Senate, a filibuster is a technique used to prolong debate in order to delay or block a vote on a bill.
Filibusters can also be used by Senators to draw attention to a specific issue, gather public support, or negotiate modifications to a bill.
A filibuster can be ended by invoking cloture or if those conducting the filibuster choose to end it voluntarily, which would allow the Senate to move forward with a vote. To invoke cloture, at least three-fifths of all Senators (normally 60 votes) must vote in favor of it.

In 1917, the Senate changed its tradition of the right to unlimited debate. The rule allowed a two-thirds majority vote to end a filibuster. However, as a two-thirds vote is difficult to obtain, filibusters remain an effective method for blocking legislation.
In 1957, Strom Thurmond attempted to block a civil rights bill with a 24-hour filibuster on the Senate floor; making it the longest single-person filibuster in history.
A study by the Center for American Progress found that Republicans have used the filibuster roughly twice as often as Democrats.
More recently, Senate Republicans have used filibusters to prevent a Democratic bill aimed at advancing voting rights and to block a bipartisan, independent investigation into the January 6th Capitol attack.
Senate Democrats have used filibusters to block Senator Tim Scott's (R-SC) police reform bill, the JUSTICE Act, and block funding for the construction of former President Trump's border wall.

Attitudes towards the filibuster vary based on who has control in the Senate.
Filibusters can pose a significant roadblock to partisan proposals. If the legislative filibuster were to be eliminated, the Senate's approach to legislation would resemble that of the House, which operates on a majority basis rather than relying on bipartisanship for most legislative matters.
Filibusters can prevent a simple majority from passing policies that do not have broad support and can lead to more moderate and consensus-driven legislation.
However, filibusters can also hinder meaningful debate, disproportionately empower the minority party, and weaken the Senate’s efficiency.
In 2020, former president Barack Obama referred to the filibuster as “another Jim Crow relic" used to prevent passing significant legislation.
President Joe Biden supports ending the Senate filibuster to legalize abortion and pass voting rights bills, stating the filibuster is “being abused in a gigantic way”.

How do you feel about ending the Senate filibuster?