Democrats held the nation’s longest filibuster for 60 days to attempt to prevent the passing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
When senators want to put the brakes on legislation, they talk. And talk. And talk some more. That’s called a filibuster.
The House passed the bill on Feb. 10, 1964. It moved to the Senate on Feb. 26, 1964, and was placed on the Senate’s Judiciary Committee’s calendar, the Senate’s website states. The committee was chaired by civil rights opponent James Eastland of Mississippi.
Opposition from the South
According to Senate history, the issue was moved for consideration on March 9, 1964, when “Southern senators launched a filibuster against the bill,” with debates lasting 60 days.
