Final answer:
The strategy used in the Senate to prevent a bill from coming to a vote is the filibuster, which involves extended debate by senators. To end a filibuster, a cloture motion with 60 votes is required. This gives significant power to the Senate minority to obstruct legislation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct option : b
The strategy employed in the Senate to prevent a bill from coming to a vote is b) filibuster. A filibuster is a parliamentary procedure whereby debate over a proposed piece of legislation is extended, enabling one or more senators to delay or entirely prevent a vote on the proposal. This is achieved by the senators holding the floor and speaking for an extended period, an action which used to require actual prolonged speaking, but in modern times usually just indicates a threat to do so. The only way to overcome a filibuster is by a cloture motion, which requires a super majority of 60 votes to end the debate and proceed to the vote on the bill.
The use of the filibuster gives the Senate minority significant power to obstruct legislation if they choose to do so. Marking up a bill (d) amended) refers to the process of a committee making changes and amendments to a bill before it goes to the chamber floor for a vote. The term cloture describes the vote needed to end a filibuster and bring the bill to a vote, requiring a supermajority. A pocket veto occurs when the President takes no action on a bill passed by Congress within the allotted time, effectively vetoing it without a formal decision.