Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Filibuster
Season 6, Episode 22 · Aired 2019-09-08
Synopsis
In theory, the filibuster was created to ensure bipartisanship in the US Senate. In practice, it has become a way to kill bills with only 41 Senate votes. John explains the strange origin of the filibuster, how its overuse made the Senate a place where even bipartisan bills go to die, and why filibustering should be abolished altogether. Also, Trump's Hurricane Dorian Sharpie Scandal, the UK PM Johnson's clash with the Parliament over his No-deal Brexit strategy, and Fox News' Stu Varney fanboys over Trump.
In the series
This episode is part of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (2014–present) on HBO.
Longform late-night investigations — net neutrality explainers as comedy events.
Key cast
- John Oliver as Host