History of the Filibuster

Summary

In 2013, Senator Rand Paul's 12-hour filibuster against John Brennan's CIA appointment aimed to clarify the White House's stance on the constitutionality of drone strikes on U.S. soil. The speech highlighted the Fifth Amendment's due process rights, emphasizing the importance of protecting the Constitution. The filibuster, a tactic with roots in Roman times, allows senators to delay bills by extended debate, as seen in historical examples like Strom Thurmond's 24-hour speech against the Civil Rights Act of 1957. Despite criticism, the filibuster serves as a powerful tool for individual senators to draw attention to critical issues.

Takeaways

• 📜 Senator Rand Paul filibustered for 12 hours and 52 minutes against the appointment of John Brennan as CIA head to demand clarity on the use of drones against U.S. citizens.
• 🏛 Paul's filibuster aimed to prevent what he saw as a violation of the Fifth Amendment, which guarantees due process of law.
• 🎙️ The filibuster was not just a political move but a call to uphold the Constitution against perceived executive overreach.
• 📨 After Paul's speech, Attorney General Eric Holder clarified that the White House would not use drones to kill non-combatant Americans.
• 🗣️ The script highlights the history of filibustering, tracing its origins to the Dutch word for pirate and its use in the U.S. Congress since the 19th century.
• 🕊️ The term 'filibuster' was first used by Congressman Albert Brown in 1853, referring to a speech against intervention in Cuba.
• 🇪🇺 The practice of filibustering dates back to Roman times, with Cato the Younger using it to oppose Julius Caesar.
• 🇬🇧 In the UK, filibustering is less common and the record speech in the House of Commons lasted six hours by Henry Broom in 1828.
• 🔍 The script distinguishes between 'silent' and 'talking' filibusters in the U.S. Senate, with the former not requiring physical presence on the floor.
• 📚 Senator Strom Thurmond holds the record for the longest filibuster, speaking for 24 hours and 18 minutes against the Civil Rights Act of 1957.
• 🎥 The filibuster is famously depicted in the film 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,' where the character speaks for 24 hours to fight corruption.

Q & A

Why did Senator Rand Paul start a filibuster on March 6, 2013?

Senator Rand Paul started a filibuster to force the White House to make a clear statement that it was unconstitutional to use drones to kill Americans in the United States just because they were suspected of terrorism.

What constitutional amendment did Senator Rand Paul cite in his argument against the use of drones?

Senator Rand Paul cited the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution, which guarantees due process.

How long did Senator Rand Paul's filibuster last?

Senator Rand Paul's filibuster lasted for 12 hours and 52 minutes.

What was the outcome of Senator Rand Paul's filibuster?

After the filibuster, Attorney General Eric Holder sent a letter stating that the White House would not use drones to kill Americans not engaged in combat.

What is the origin of the term 'filibuster'?

The term 'filibuster' comes from the Dutch word 'vrijbuiter,' meaning pirate or robber, and it was used to refer to William Walker, who led a group of Americans to Nicaragua in 1855 to aid in a revolt to overthrow the government.

When was the term 'filibuster' first used in a legislative sense in the United States?

The term 'filibuster' was first used in a legislative sense in the United States by Congressman Albert Brown of Mississippi in 1853.

What are the two types of filibusters in the US Senate today?

The two types of filibusters in the US Senate today are the silent filibuster and the talking filibuster.

What is a silent filibuster?

A silent filibuster occurs when 40% of the senators threaten to filibuster a bill, causing the Senate to move on to other business, knowing they will not be able to finish the debate.

What notable filibuster took place in the 1930s involving Huey Long?

In the 1930s, Louisiana Democrat Huey Long filibustered several bills, including one against a bill he believed was unfair to the poor, during which he recited recipes for salad dressing and discussed at length the best way to fry oysters. His most famous filibuster was on June 12, 1935, which lasted 15 hours and 30 minutes.

Who holds the record for the longest filibuster in US Senate history and what was the duration?

Senator Strom Thurmond holds the record for the longest filibuster in US Senate history, lasting 24 hours and 18 minutes against the Civil Rights Act of 1957.