PSCI 3041 Study Guide - Final Guide: Unanimous Consent, Cloture, Institute For Operations Research And The Management Sciences

• School: CU-Boulder
• Department: Political Science
• Course: PSCI 3041
• Professor: Stefani Langehenning

Document Summary

There are two general versions of senators" refusal to comply to unanimous consent: filibusters and holds. The first form of obstruction is the formal filibuster. A filibuster is any tactic that blocks a measure on the senate floor from coming to a vote, but often it takes the form of a single lawmaker"s refusal to end debate by making a long, uninterrupted speech. Two reasons for the filibuster: chamber rules require presiding officer to recognize all senators that wish to speak, the senate lacks any formal rules or procedures regarding the time limits on debates. Senators may speak for as long as they wish without yielding the floor but they must remain standing and speak continuously. Senate members may also not yield floor to each other. Filibusters can go on through the day or even the next day. Unlike the filibustering member, proponents of the measure must be able to maintain a committee of senators at any time.