What is filibuster?

   In government, filibuster is a method of delaying or stopping action on a legislative issue by prolonged debate. It is a method used mainly in the U.S. Senate. A filibuster is usually organized by opponents of a measure, who hope that their long debate of the issue will "talk it to death." A filibuster is occasionally carried on by legislators who want to draw attention to a bill they think deserves more publicity. Most legislative bodies have rules limiting the amount of time an issue may be discussed, but in the U.S. Senate a long tradition of unlimited debate has made the filibuster possible. Since 1917 the Senate has had a cloture rule by which two-thirds of the Senators present can vote to end a debate.