Filibuster

A Short History of the Filibuster

“After talking non-stop for 10 hours and 35 minutes, Huey Long informed his fellow senators that he wasn't a bit tired. "I would just as soon stay here and go ten more hours," he said. "I am in hog heaven here discussing this thing." It was 10:30 on the night of June 12, 1935, and Sen. Long had been yakking since noon, trying to prevent a vote that he knew he would lose. The Senate was prepared to pass an extension of President Franklin Roosevelt's National Recovery Act, which Long opposed, and he was trying to talk the bill to death. Huey was a very entertaining talker, so spectators packed the gallery, many of them Shriners in town for a convention. "I seem to have new inspiration," Long announced. "I seem to hear a voice that says, 'Speak ten hours more.'" ”