11.   While Democrats do have broad power to prolong debate, amend legislation and stall votes, the majority has a few heavy parliamentary weapons of its own.

12.   But many republicans see the convention as a way of throwing sand in the gears of the process by prolonging debate and obfuscating the issues.

13.   Democrats, although in the minority, have the power to filibuster, prolonging debate indefinitely on any issue.

14.   Republicans charged that by prolonging debate, Democrats had slowed urgently needed funds for U.S. forces abroad and other counterterrorism initiatives.

15.   Support was likely, though debate could be prolonged.

16.   This could considerably prolong the debate and, as a result, delay ratification of the Rarotonga Treaty.