nickrefuerzo
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thread 1/11
Wanted to try the new #thread function with an old explainer animation about the #Filibuster and its history
01:28 PM - May 04, 2023
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nickrefuerzo
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thread 2/11
A filibuster happens when a congressperson delays a vote by talking. You can talk about whatever you want, for as long as you want. It takes 60 senators to stop you.
01:28 PM - May 04, 2023
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nickrefuerzo
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thread 3/11
The filibuster started by what some might consider an accident. The Senate removed a rule to end debate on the floor because they felt it was redundant. This left no formal way to end debate, and Senators were free to talk endlessly to delay a vote.
01:28 PM - May 04, 2023
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nickrefuerzo
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thread 4/11
By the mid-1800’s, senators talked so much the term “filibuster” was coined from Dutch and Spanish words “free-booter” and “filibusteros” - the words for troublesome pirates raiding the Caribbean islands.
01:28 PM - May 04, 2023
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nickrefuerzo
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thread 5/11
In 1917, Senate rule 22 was adopted out of frustration. Finally, a formal mechanism could end filibusters through cloture, or that supermajority of 60 senators.
01:29 PM - May 04, 2023
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nickrefuerzo
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thread 6/11
The filibuster changed again, in the 1970s. You no longer had to talk to filibuster. You didn’t even have to show up. You could just threaten to filibuster. This is called the “silent filibuster.”
01:29 PM - May 04, 2023
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nickrefuerzo
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thread 7/11
This was made possible by a two-track system that allowed the Senate to continue its business while a filibustered bill was stuck in limbo. The number of filibusters has skyrocketed, requiring a supermajority to pass nearly anything.
01:29 PM - May 04, 2023
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nickrefuerzo
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thread 8/11
In 2013 - facing endless obstruction, the rules were changed again to allow most presidential nominations to pass with 51 votes instead of 60.

This was so drastic it was dubbed “the nuclear option.” The rules changed again in 2017, extending the nuclear option to Supreme Court nominations as well.
01:29 PM - May 04, 2023
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nickrefuerzo
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thread 9/11
Today, many bills never see the light of day, and many are pushing for reform.

Though it was never in the Constitution, supporters of the filibuster believe it is an integral part of the Senate. It gives power and a voice to the minority party, and encourages compromise.
01:30 PM - May 04, 2023
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nickrefuerzo
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thread 10/11
But opponents say it gridlocks the Senate and prevents anything from getting done.

Filibusters have also been predominantly used to block racial equality efforts. Between 1917 and 1994, nearly half of filibusters were used to block civil rights and anti-lynching bills, and poll taxes.
01:30 PM - May 04, 2023
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