The filibuster—democracy’s safeguard or democracy’s kill switch? In this episode of Bahr’s History Hits, Michael Bahr unpacks the strange and surprising history of the Senate’s most controversial rule. From its accidental invention in 1805 to Strom Thurmond’s marathon speeches and today’s “silent email filibusters,” discover how this once-rare tactic became routine gridlock. Featuring Adam Jentleson’s Kill Switch, we explore what the Founders intended, how the Senate evolved, and the case both for and against the modern filibuster.

If you’ve ever wondered why everything in Washington seems stuck, this episode gives you the historical context—and the big questions—that matter today.