Making laws
filibuster
Extended debate used to block a Senate vote. Because most measures need 60 votes to cut off debate, a determined minority can stop legislation that has majority support.
In full
The Senate has no general rule forcing an end to debate, so senators can block a measure by refusing to let debate close, the filibuster. Modern filibusters rarely involve marathon speeches; the mere signal that 60 votes are not there is usually enough. The only formal answer is cloture. The House has no equivalent: its Rules Committee limits debate on every major bill.
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.