When was the last successful filibuster? This question often comes up in discussions about the legislative process, particularly in the United States Senate. A filibuster is a legislative tactic used to delay or prevent a bill from being passed by continuously speaking on the floor. The last successful filibuster in the U.S. Senate occurred on January 30, 2020.
The 2020 filibuster was sparked by the debate over the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Democrats opposed the rushed confirmation process, arguing that it was unfair to consider a new justice during an election year. They employed a filibuster to delay the vote, hoping to gain public support and potentially change the minds of some Republicans.
During the filibuster, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell accused Democrats of “filibustering themselves,” suggesting that they were using the tactic to delay their own nominees. However, Democrats maintained that the filibuster was necessary to preserve the integrity of the Senate and ensure that nominees were thoroughly vetted.
The filibuster lasted for several hours, with Democrats and Republicans taking turns speaking on the floor. In the end, the filibuster was successful in delaying the confirmation vote, but it did not prevent Judge Barrett from being confirmed. The successful filibuster highlighted the importance of the Senate’s rules and the power of Senate Democrats to influence the legislative process.
Since the 2020 filibuster, there have been several attempts to reform the filibuster rule, but no changes have been made. The rule remains a critical part of the Senate’s tradition and has been used numerous times throughout history to block controversial legislation.
The last successful filibuster serves as a reminder of the importance of the Senate’s rules and the potential impact of a filibuster on the legislative process. As debates over judicial nominations, election-year politics, and other contentious issues continue, the question of when the next successful filibuster will occur remains a topic of interest for many.
