4 NEWS Blocking a Vote Lawmakers in the U.S. Senate are at a standstill Some senators are ready to vote on a new law But others will do anything they can to stop it They keep talking for hours What's happening It's a filibuster The longest filibuster lasted more than a day In 1957 Senator Strom Thurmond spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes
Senators meet in the U S Capitol building 5
NEWS The Senate helps make new laws But there is a lot that happens before something becomes a law First the idea for a law starts as Senators talk about what is in it They and change the bill until most of them can agree The U S Congress is made up bill of two groups that make laws Bills Passing Through Representatives is the other While The Senate is one The House of the Senate allows filibusters the debate House does not 6
