Final answer:
The Texas Senate rules for filibusters require 60 votes for cloture to end marathon speeches that prevent legislative voting. These rules, shaped by historical and partisan contexts, uphold the filibuster as a means for minority influence in the Senate.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Texas Senate has specific rules in place for filibusters. A filibuster occurs when a senator speaks for an extended period to delay or prevent a vote on legislation. Historically, it required a senator to physically hold the floor by speaking continuously; more recently, the threat of filibuster is often enough to require a cloture motion. To end a filibuster, 60 senators must vote in favor of cloture, effectively setting a supermajority requirement for legislation to pass. Certain budget reconciliation bills, such as Obamacare's implementing legislation and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, are exempt from filibusters.
Changes to filibuster rules include a reduction from a two-thirds majority needed for cloture to a three-fifths majority or 60 senate votes, making it slightly easier to overcome a filibuster. This rule change came about in 1975, following the civil rights era's heightened partisanship. Despite these rules, the essence of the filibuster remains the same: it is a powerful tool for the minority to exert influence over legislation by extending debates and increasing the difficulty of passing bills.