The filibuster is a procedural, not constitutional, requirement and can be changed. It’s been on the Senate books since 1917, ...

MERKLEY: Of course, my argument is for the talking filibuster, which means that as long as the Democrats in the minority maintain a continuous presence on the floor speaking, they can block a bill.

When things actually happen on Capitol Hill, it’s frequently because senators find ways around the filibuster, the custom whereby a supermajority of 60 votes is required to pass legislation.

MERKLEY: Of course, my argument is for the talking filibuster, which means that as long as the Democrats in the minority maintain a continuous presence on the floor speaking, they can block a bill.