EPIC

Rand Paul Ends Filibuster

After 13 hours.

Maybe he needed a drink of water? After nearly 13 hours, Rand Paul ended his filibuster blocking the confirmation of John Brennan for CIA director. The Kentucky Republican took to the floor at 11:45 a.m. and refused to yield the floor, using the opportunity to object to the Obama administration’s use of drones. He spoke for three hours alone before being joined by Utah Republican Mike Lee. After that he was joined by seven others, including Oregon Democrat Ron Wyden and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Paul left the Senate floor to a round of applause. He still fell short of the longest Senate filibuster on record, when Strom Thurmond blocked the Civil Rights Act of 1957 for over 24 hours.