Ending the filibuster means changing Senate rules so that a simple majority can end debate on a bill and move to a final vote, instead of needing a supermajority (typically 60 votes) to shut off debate. In practice, “ending the filibuster” is usually discussed in terms of invoking cloture to finish debate and proceed to a vote. Key points to understand:

• What a filibuster is: A tactic used in the U.S. Senate to delay or block a vote by extending debate, often through prolonged speech or procedural maneuvers. The goal is to prevent a bill or confirmation from moving forward. This definition remains widely used in political science and journalism.

• How it’s currently ended: Since the 1970s, cloture is the formal procedure to end debate. It requires a supermajority—historically 60 votes in a full Senate—though the exact threshold can vary if some seats are vacant or other rules apply. Once cloture is invoked, time for further debate is limited, and the chamber proceeds to a vote.

• What “ending the filibuster” implies: If the Senate changes its rules to permit ending debate with a simple majority (often 51 votes, or 50 with the Vice President casting a tiebreaker), the minority party would have less ability to block legislation. This is sometimes described as “eliminating the filibuster,” though the precise mechanism could take many forms (redefining cloture, altering the number required for cloture, or eliminating the need for cloture for certain types of votes). The concept is debated in political discourse and has been discussed in major news outlets and reference sources.

• Why it matters in practice: Abolishing or altering the filibuster would reshape how easily the Senate can pass legislation, confirm nominees, and respond to urgent issues. Opinions on whether it should be ended are highly polarized and often tied to broader questions about legislative norms, party control, and governance.

If you’d like, I can tailor this explanation to a specific context (e.g., a historical overview, a current policy debate, or how it would affect a particular piece of legislation).