Question

What tactic did Senators use to try block the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for more than two months?

Answer 1

They used the filibuster tactic to try and block the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Explanation:

Committed to the filibuster effort were the powerful Senators Richard Russell, Strom Thurmond, Robert Byrd, William Fulbright and Sam Ervin. Russell started the filibuster in late March 1964, and it would last for 60 working days in the Senate.

The filibuster end on June 10, 1964 when Senate Minority Leader, Everett Dirksen of Illinois made a powerful speech serving to bring more Republicans onto his side in the fight. This same day the filibuster ended with 71 votes, 4 more than were needed, as 27 Republican Senators joined the vote to end the filibuster.

President Johnson signed the bill on July 2 in a nationally televised ceremony.