the.com/filibuster
democracy's pause button, jammed by anyone willing to keep talking until everyone gives up
pirate rootsFrom Dutch for freebooter, meaning pirate or raider
record talkerStrom Thurmond once spoke 24 hours 18 minutes straight
no bathroomSenators can't yield the floor, so breaks are forbidden
reading aloudSome have recited recipes and phone books to stall
60 votesModern Senate needs 60 to break one