John,

There’s been a lot of talk about the filibuster lately and its role in the Senate. It’s an important topic that affects the way our elected officials make decisions and pass legislation. But, if you’re not 100% sure what the filibuster is, why it’s being talked about so often, and what it’s used for, you’re not alone. Here’s a quick explainer on the filibuster, its racist history, and everything you need to know about the role it plays in our government right now:

First things first: What is the filibuster? How does it work?
A filibuster refers to any attempt to block or delay legislative action in the Senate. Senators can filibuster a bill by debating the matter on the floor of the Senate or offering a series of procedural motions or simply announcing they intend to block a bill.

To end a filibuster, the full Senate can force a vote with a process known as cloture, which needs three-fifths of all senators -- 60 senators -- to vote to end debate and move to a vote on the bill. If the cloture vote fails, the bill does not move forward in the legislative process, and the Senate moves on to other business.

So, why are we talking about the filibuster now?
In recent history, the filibuster has been used more than ever, which has led to presidents from both parties using executive orders and other tools to bypass the Senate.

Starting in the 2000s, minority parties in the Senate began to routinely filibuster legislation proposed by the other party. During this period, from 2000 to 2018, cloture was invoked to block legislation an average of 53 times every year. The increased use of the filibuster is undermining our democracy and the Senate’s ability to govern, pass legislation and deliver solutions for the American people.

Why does the fillibuster’s racist history matter?
The filibuster has a long and devastating legacy as a tool to uphold white supremacy. It was first used as a tool of Southern senators to uphold slavery and then later became a mechanism to block civil rights legislation over time and even until today.

From anti-lynching bills to voting rights and fair employment, housing discrimination, on and on.

Basically, it’s blocked most economic, racial, social, civil rights, and justice legislation that would benefit all Americans and has no place in our modern political structures.

What can we do about the filibuster?
If you have thoughts about the filibuster and its reform, you can contact your senators by calling (202) 224-3121. They were elected by you to represent you. You can also share When We All Vote’s filibuster explainer graphics with your community on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter and help others gain a better understanding of the way our government and its process works.

Thanks for being a part of our team,

When We All Vote

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