The filibuster became part of the Nebraska Legislature’s procedures in 1937, when the one-house Unicameral first convened.

Nebraska’s filibuster operates through unlimited debate, which can be ended only by a cloture motion requiring a two-thirds majority (currently 33 of 49 senators) to cease debate and force a vote. This supermajority requirement for cloture — which allows minority obstruction — stems from the Unicameral’s design, which aims to promote thorough discussion and protect minority views in a nonpartisan system.

The formal cloture rule, which allows a vote to end debate after time limits have expired, has existed since the rules were adopted in 1937. Refinements, like automatic cloture votes after eight hours on the general file, were added in 1990 and clarified in 1994.

Prior to 1937, Nebraska’s bicameral Legislature lacked a comparable supermajority cloture mechanism, relying more on majority rules. The filibuster’s prominence has grown over time and become a key tool for compromise in the nonpartisan Unicameral, akin to the U.S. Senate but unique among states.

Nebraska closely mimics U.S. Senate rules, so perhaps we should examine the kerfuffle happening in D.C. Unfortunately, our Unicameral is following the same obstructionist path.

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