WHAT IS THE FILIBUSTER?

To understand the filibuster, it’s necessary first to consider how the Senate passes a bill. When a senator or a group of senators introduces a new bill, it goes to the appropriate committee for discussion, hearings, and amendments. If a majority of that committee votes in favor, the bill moves to the Senate floor for debate.

Once a bill gets to a vote on the Senate floor, it requires a simple majority of 51 votes to pass after debate has ended. But there’s a catch: before it can get to a vote, it actually takes 60 votes to cut off debate, which is why a 60-vote supermajority is now considered the de facto minimum for passing legislation in the Senate.
 

​WHAT LEGISLATION HAS THE FILIBUSTER BEEN USED TO BLOCK?

CIVIL RIGHTS

IMMIGRATION REFORM

THE DREAM ACT

GUN REFORM

MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE

VOTING RIGHTS

HOW TO END THE FILIBUSTER?

Eliminating the filibuster is simple. All it takes to eliminate the filibuster is a simple majority vote in the Senate — and this can be done at any time. Senate Democrats can introduce a big package of democracy reforms, like DC statehood and expanding voting rights. Unfortunately, we have democrats like Kyrsten Sinema continue to stand against the people by refusing to End The Filibuster. Join us in calling on our elected leaders to End The Filibuster so we can pass life changing legislation currently being held up by the filibuster.