What is a filibuster?

A filibuster is a tactic primarily used in the Senate that allows one or more members to delay or obstruct legislative action on a bill or other matters. This is often achieved by extending debate on the issue, making it difficult to reach a vote. The intent behind a filibuster can be to prevent the passage of a particular piece of legislation or to draw attention to a specific issue.

This method can be particularly powerful because it can require a supermajority to overcome, meaning that a simple majority is often not enough to proceed with a vote unless the filibuster is ended. As such, a filibuster reflects the Senate's unique rules, emphasizing extended debate as a means of ensuring thorough consideration of legislation before any final decisions are made.

The other choices do not accurately define a filibuster. A formal statement of disagreement does not involve the prolonged debate expected in a filibuster. Proposing new laws is a function of legislative craft itself, and the procedure for closing debate on legislation, known as cloture, is a counteraction to a filibuster, designed to end it rather than embody it.