Just talking.

• Position: GRAPH: NATIONAL - filibusters - Brief article

As the article about gridlock in Washington (p. 12) explains, the use--or just the threat--of filibusters is one reason the Senate doesn't seem to be able to get much done these days. Official tallies aren't kept of filibusters--extended speeches by a bill's opponents meant to delay or prevent a vote from being taken. But the number loosely corresponds to the number of Senate cloture motions--which cut off debate and require a supermajority of 60 votes for approval.

[GRAPHIC OMITTED]

ANALYZE THE GRAPH

(1) During the congressional, term with the highest number of cloture motions, Senators filed--more than during the term with the second-highest number.

a 48

b 50

c 57

d 66

(3) From the beginning to near the end of of George W. Bush's presidency (2001 to 2008), the number of cloture motions rose by -- percent.

a 71

b 75

c 83

d 93

(3) The largest drop in the number of cloture motions between two successive congressional, terms was --, occurring twice prior to the end of the last century.

a 16

b 22

c 25

d 28

(4) Of the record 139 cloture motions in the 2007-08 term, 61 were approved by the Senate--about the same number as cloture motions filed in the -- term.

a 1987-88

b 1997-98

c 2003-04

d 2009-10

(5) Twenty-three of the cloture motions filed so far in the current Congressional term, of about -- percent, were withdrawn.

a 15

b 20

c 25

d 30

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

(1) Why are...