As the Legislature enters the next stage of full-day debate, this newsletter aims to explore the role of filibustering and how it shapes the policy-making process. A filibuster is a tactic used by legislators to delay or block a vote on a bill or nomination by extending debate. In Nebraska, filibustering often takes the form of prolonged speeches or procedural maneuvers designed to prevent a bill from being voted on successfully before the end of a legislative session or to force the introduction of amendments to modify or derail a bill.
Filibustering has evolved over time. In the early years following the establishment of the Unicameral system, the legislature was largely dominated by party leaders, with little room for extended debates or filibusters. However, as political dynamics shifted, and as the influence of individual senators grew, so did the use of the filibuster.
In the Nebraska Legislature, a senator can filibuster a bill until there is a motion to invoke “cloture,” essentially a vote to end debate and immediately move toward a final vote. To invoke cloture, it requires that full and fair debate has been afforded as determined by the presiding officer and a two-thirds vote of the senators (33 out of 49).
➢ Filibuster: Extended speeches and procedural delays by one or more senators. ➢ Priority Motions: Indefinitely Postpone, Bracket and Recommit to Committee. ➢ Amend/Strike Sections: Alters the content of the bill to prolong debate. ➢ Reconsider: Motion to reconsider the previous vote taken.
➢ Call the Question: Ends debate and moves directly to a vote (requires 25 votes). ➢ Cloture: Ends the filibuster by a two-thirds majority (33 votes).
A filibuster can have both positive and negative impacts on the legislative process. On one hand, it allows individual senators to voice their concerns, raise awareness about issues, and delay action on bills they do not support. It can be seen as an important check on the majority party and an expression of free speech.
On the other hand, it can be deemed an inefficient tactic that unnecessarily delays the legislative process. In most cases, a filibuster is used to stall or block bills without any genuine intent to change the legislation. This creates frustration for lawmakers who want to pass bills and for their constituents who are waiting for legislative action.
In the coming weeks, we will dive into more details regarding these various aspects and procedures of the legislative process. For additional information on specific bills, please visit https://nebraskalegislature.gov/. If you have any feedback or concerns, please feel free to reach out.