Question

What does the term “filibuster” mean, and how is it used by individual Senators and for what purposes? What does “cloture” mean, and how is it used by the leadership of the Senate and for what purposes? What is your opinion of these procedures--are they good for conducting the business of the United States Senate, or not? Why or why not?

Answer 1

A filibuster is a tactic like a long, long speech that is intended to delay or stop a piece of legislation.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/filibuster

Cloture is a tactic to end the delay and call for a vote on the question.

http://www.senate.gov/reference/glossary_term/cloture.htm