Final answer:
A filibuster is a parliamentary maneuver used in the United States Senate to extend debate on a piece of legislation as long as possible. It gives the Senate minority the power to obstruct legislation by requiring a super majority of 60 votes to end a filibuster. This changes the dynamic in the Senate by making it more difficult to pass bills.
Step-by-step explanation:
A filibuster is a parliamentary maneuver used in the United States Senate to extend debate on a piece of legislation as long as possible, typically with the purpose of obstructing or killing it. The term comes from the Dutch word vrijbuiter, meaning pirate, which is fitting because the filibuster historically involved a senator speaking for long periods of time to prevent the Senate from closing debate and acting on a bill.
In the modern Senate, any member can declare a filibuster, which stops the issue from coming to a vote. A vote only happens when 60 senators vote in favor of a cloture motion to end the debate. This gives the Senate minority great power to obstruct if they choose to do so.
The use of filibusters has changed the dynamic in the Senate by increasing the number of votes needed to pass legislation from a simple majority of 51 to a super majority of 60. This can make it more difficult for bills to be passed and can give the Senate minority significant influence over the legislative process.