rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryfilibusterLegislative delay
noun / verb

filibuster

FIL-ih-bus-ter/ˈfɪlɪbʌstər/

Delaying legislative action through prolonged speech or other tactics.

The legislator's filibuster keeps the chamber waiting while he continues to speak.

A compact two-moment sequence shows a legislator retaining the floor for hours while the chamber's business remains stalled: the same speaker continues reading through a large stack, the waiting member becomes exhausted, and the presiding officer still cannot advance proceedings.
Etymology
filibusterFrenchpirate, buccaneer

The pirate term probably shifted to obstructionist legislators because they “pirated” debate or disrupted normal authority. It first named the legislator, then the delaying maneuver itself.

In context

FRONTLINE PBS | Official67:00
Madam President, I intend to speak in support of defunding Obamacare until I am no longer able to stand. >> NARRATOR: It looked like an old-fashioned filibuster.
Behind the Polarization | Divided States of America Part 2 (full documentary) | FRONTLINE (PBS)

More examples

  • Opponents filibustered the proposal.
  • A lengthy filibuster kept the chamber in session.
  • The leaders sought enough votes to end the filibuster.

Forms

filibuster · filibusters · filibustered · filibustering

Similar words

obstruction
Obstruction is any blocking tactic; filibuster is a legislative delaying tactic.
debate
Debate discusses a proposal; a filibuster uses procedures or speech specifically to delay action.