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