it's ironic in 1959, the year that frank capra filled "mr. smith," there were zero filibusters in the senate. from 1917, across the entire 19th century, for 100 years, there were 23 filibusters in 100 there were 23 filibusters in 100 >> in 1849, there were only four filibusters. from 1917 when the senate first adopted rules to end the filibuster, there were fewer than 50, less than one filibuster a year. since then, unfortunately, the number skyrocketed. the rather thans i raise today are not new, but the problem has become far more serious. in 1992, my good colleague said this about the filibuster. unless, "we recognize that things are out of control and procedures have to be changed, we'll never be an affective legislative body again." 1992. during that congress, there were 31 filibusters, 31. in 1985, former senator thomas eagleton said, "the senate is now in the state of incipient an ark ky. the filibuster used as a civil right manner, has now become a routine in almost all matters, for as our rules were to guarantee debate, they now guar