Filibuster

Table of Contents

Introduction
Pros
- Pro 1: The filibuster promotes compromise and protects the voice and mandate of the minority party.
- Pro 2: The filibuster protects the intended purpose of the Senate: purposeful debate.
- Pro 3: The filibuster is an important safeguard against political extremism and corporate influence.
Cons
- Con 1: The filibuster promotes obstructionism and partisanship, allowing the minority party to rule without a national mandate.
- Con 2: The filibuster prevents meaningful debate and slows the work of the Senate.
- Con 3: The filibuster is a Jim Crow relic used to block meaningful legislation.
Discussion Questions
Take Action
Sources

References & Edit History Related Topics

Images

U.S. Capitol with U.S. Senate on the right

Jimmy Stewart in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Read Next

Artwork for themes for Pro-Con articles.

Pro and Con: Filibuster

Discover

Aphrodite. Greek mythology. Sculpture. Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love and beauty.

12 Greek Gods and Goddesses

New York NY/ USA- November 23, 2018 Hordes of shoppers throng the Macy's Herald Square flagship store in New York looking for bargains on the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday.

Why Is It Called Black Friday?

Adolf Hitler (Nazi, nazism, German leader).

9 Things You Might Not Know About Adolf Hitler

Close up of books. Stack of books, pile of books, literature, reading. Homepage 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society

12 Novels Considered the “Greatest Book Ever Written”

Woman tied to a ducking stool, a method of punishment by means of humiliation, beating, or death. (cucking stool)

8 Unusual Punishments Inflicted on Women Throughout History

Secret Service Agent Listens To Earpiece

Secret Service Code Names of 11 U.S. Presidents

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), Italian Renaissance painter from Florence. Engraving by Cosomo Colombini (d. 1812) after a Leonardo self portrait. Ca. 1500.

10 Famous Artworks by Leonardo da Vinci

Filibuster: Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Photos

U.S. Capitol with U.S. Senate on the right

Jimmy Stewart in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

See All Images →

Topics

filibuster D.C. and Puerto Rico Statehood Congressional Term Limits Mandatory National Service U.S. Supreme Court American Socialism National Anthem Explainer Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) Introduces Court-Packing Bill Impeachment Explainer