The “filibuster” is a procedural tool used in the U.S. Senate to limit the power of the majority. As a Constitutional Republic, the United States government is built on the principles of separation of powers, checks and balances, and minority representation. No matter what political party holds power in Congress, the integrity of this system of government requires that minority voices are heard, and that power is balanced in such a way that the majority doesn’t trample opposing viewpoints.

While the House of Representatives passes legislation by a simple majority vote, passing a bill in the Senate is more complex. When Senate leadership wants to vote on controversial legislation, the filibuster process requires that that a “pre-vote,” called a “cloture vote,” is taken to end debate. That cloture vote succeeds if three-fifths of all Senators—60 votes—pass it. Only then can a controversial piece of legislation be voted on and passed by a simple majority in the Senate. As such, the filibuster effectively checks the power of the majority party.

In 2022, Senator Chuck Schumer led the Senate and his efforts to change the filibuster were blocked by two senators. In 2025 in the current 119^th Congress, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is not expected to make changes to the filibuster rule. However, in future elections, changes to the filibuster could once again become a high priority. It’s important that every American understand this procedural tool.