A small group of U.S. Senators, led by Rand Paul (R-KY), engaged in an epic 13-hour filibuster against drone strikes and CIA nominee John Brennan.
Paul stalled the Senate on Wednesday (and Thursday, he didn't end until 1 a.m.) by decrying the government's use of lethal drone strikes. At length.
The old school tactic forced the Senate to delay the expected confirmation vote on John Brennan's nomination to lead the Central Intelligence Agency.
Rand Paul, who vocally opposes Brennan's nomination, followed through on his plan to filibuster the confirmation of President Obama's nominee.
He made the decision after Attorney General Eric Holder refused to rule out the use of drone strikes within the United States in "extraordinary circumstances."
The filibuster is an archaic but still frequently-used maneuver, albeit not in its intended form - this. Any Senator can hold the floor for as long as he/she likes.
As such, they can delay a vote, at least symbolically.
On Wednesday, Paul did exactly as promised, taking to the Senate floor shortly before noon and holding it down for 12 hours and 52 minutes.
He finally wound down shortly before 1 a.m., surrounded by a group of Republican senators and House members who had joined him in solidarity.
"I would go for another 12 hours to try to break Strom Thurmond's record, but I've discovered that there are some limits to filibustering," he said.
That was a reference to the legendary South Carolina senator known for his 28-hour filibuster, and to the fact that he couldn't leave the floor once.
Rand Paul had to go to the bathroom after half a day up there.
After almost 13 hours, Paul offered his final words: "I thank you very much for the forbearance, and I yield the floor," he said, to loud applause.
Rand, the son of retired Congressman and three-time Presidential candidate Ron Paul, definitely deserves credit for standing up for his convictions.
Literally and otherwise. Seriously, try giving a 13-minute speech, let alone 13 hours. We imagine the poten
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