Final answer:
A filibuster is a tactic used by legislators to delay or obstruct the passage of legislation by making long speeches.
Step-by-step explanation:
A filibuster, a tactic employed by legislators, serves to obstruct or delay the passage of legislation through extended speeches. Typically involving a senator or a group, this strategy relies on prolonged debate in the hope of preventing the bill from advancing. In the United States Senate, ending a filibuster requires a supermajority vote of 60 to carry a motion for cessation.
This parliamentary maneuver holds significance in the legislative process, reflecting the intentional introduction of time-consuming tactics to influence outcomes. Filibusters are often used strategically to shape or impede legislation, allowing minority viewpoints to be heard or, conversely, creating hurdles for the majority to overcome. The 60-vote threshold for ending a filibuster emphasizes the challenge in terminating such tactics, contributing to the complexity of legislative decision-making in the U.S. Senate.