Senate rule that allows one senator to stop a bill from coming up for vote. With 60 votes, the filibuster can be stopped and a vote on a bill can proceed.
> >Why does it matter >
A supermajority (60 votes) is needed to pass anything in the senate. As a result it is very difficult to pass anything, especially with the degree of polarization nowadays
> >Why isn't it happening >
Democrats want to eliminate the filibuster (or at least for just the voting rights vote). They need 50 votes to change this rule. But Manchin and Sinema are publicly against this move.
A fear is that when the other party is in power, it will open up the door for them to change the rules to fit their needs too (see the filibuster for judicial appointments).
I say get rid of the filibuster all together. A majority vote wins for everything. That's how it should be. If the people vote a party into power, then they should have the ability to pass legislation without arbitrary roadblocks. If that results in Republicans passing their agenda when in power, so be it.
If the people don't like it, they'll vote in democrats who will reverse it.
> >What it means other than the Democrats have failed nationally >and on a state level >
It means that two years of Democrats having complete control of government will have been wasted with very little to show for it
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