From 2007 to 2012, a remarkable 385 filibusters were executed in the U.S. Senate, which matches the entire count of filibusters that occurred during the previous seventy years, spanning from World War I to the conclusion of the Reagan administration. This significant increase illustrates a shift in legislative tactics, with minority parties leveraging filibusters more frequently to block or delay proceedings.

Steven Levitsky, in his book "How Democracies Die," highlights this trend to demonstrate how political polarization and strategic maneuvering can undermine democratic processes. The rise of filibusters indicates not only a change in political strategy but also raises concerns about the implications for governance and the legislative effectiveness of Congress.