An Exercise in Legislative Endurance
The Filibuster Simulator
Experience the thrill of saying nothing for hours
Warning: May induce existential dread about the legislative process
Time Filibustered
Hours : Minutes : Seconds
Words Spoken
0
Taxpayer Cost
$0.00
Speaking Speed
Press "Start Filibuster" to begin the proceedings...
🏆 Your Personal Best
00:00:00
Stored locally, never forgotten
📜 Historic Filibusters
Strom Thurmond
1957
Alfonse D'Amato
1986
Wayne Morse
1953
Ted Cruz
2013
Robert La Follette Sr.
1908
Your Session
Right now
💡 Filibuster Facts
"The word 'filibuster' comes from the Dutch 'vrijbuiter' meaning 'pirate' or 'freebooter'"
Cost Breakdown
*Does not include staff salaries, building costs, opportunity costs, or existential costs to democracy
What is a Filibuster?
A filibuster is a parliamentary procedure where debate is extended to delay or prevent a vote on a proposal. In the U.S. Senate, a filibuster can only be ended by invoking "cloture," which requires 60 votes.
Historically, senators conducting filibusters had to speak continuously. Senator Strom Thurmond holds the record at 24 hours and 18 minutes. Modern filibusters rarely require continuous speaking, leading to what critics call "silent filibusters" that can block legislation without any public effort.
Satire Notice: This simulator is for entertainment purposes only. No actual legislation was harmed in the making of this page. The cost calculations are based on real congressional salaries but do not reflect the true cost of legislative gridlock, which is incalculable.