filibuster

First used by Rep. Albert Brown in 1853, a filibuster is a form of obstruction in legislature in hopes of delaying or entirely preventing a vote on a given proposal. Filibusters in the United States are commonly found in the Senate when the minority party doesn't approve of a bill that was proposed by the majority party. Filibusters allow a specific person, or group of people, to speak for as long as they wish and may discuss any topic that they choose.