In a modern-day “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” moment, Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul), R-Kentucky, stood on the Senate floor for almost 13 hours yesterday. He was using the filibuster to debate the Obama Administration’s drone policy prior to a vote on the White House’s nomination for CIA director.

The day began around 11:47am EST:

Speaking on the Senate floor at length & actively filibustering Brennan’s nomination until further notice Tune into @cspan now #filiblizzard
— Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) March 6, 2013

As the hours passed, conversation on Twitter continued to grow. Supporters tweeted with #standwithrand, while others joined the conversation with creative hashtags like #filiblizzard and #paulnighter. Over a million Tweets were sent yesterday about the filibuster.

Senate rules do not permit carrying of digital devices while in the chamber, so Paul’s colleague Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) joined him on the floor to note that “the Twitterverse is blowing up” and read aloud (printed!) Tweets of support:

Reading tweets supporting @senrandpaul for taking a stand for liberty: youtube.com/watch?v=IpW0-W… #StandWithRand
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) March 7, 2013

Sen. Cruz reading Tweets from all of you meant a lot to me. Protecting the Constitution is everyone's fight.
— Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) March 7, 2013

Twitter is woven through the DNA of this filibuster, taking an obscure legislative process into the public space.
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) March 7, 2013

During the night, Senators and even House members headed to the Senate to witness the filibuster and tweet to constituents to explain the process.

I am heading to the Senate floor to support @senrandpaul Do you #StandWithRand ?
— Richard Hudson (@RepRichHudson) March 7, 2013

No, Rand is not allowed to sit down. “@richbudd23: @repjustinamash @annaforliberty Can he at least sit down?”
— Justin Amash (@repjustinamash) March 7, 2013

The non-binding resolution that Sen Durbin objected to earlier. Says cant kill Americans on US soil. #standwithrand twitter.com/RepHuizenga/st…
— Rep. Bill Huizenga (@RepHuizenga) March 7, 2013

Then 12 hours, 52 minutes and 11 seconds after Paul first stood up, the filibuster came to a close:

@senrandpaul yields floor, receives standing ovation #StandWithRand
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) March 7, 2013

As the long day ended, an intern caught Sen. Paul exiting the Capitol in the wee hours:

Senator Rand Paul leaving the senate after filibustering for over 12 hours #standwithrand twitter.com/RachelKuiper/s…
— Rachel Kuiper (@RachelKuiper) March 7, 2013

Posted by Bridget Coyne (@bcoyne)
Government Team

Today we’re updating our iOS and Android apps along with mobile.twitter.com to make it easier and faster to find and see content on Twitter.

We recently introduced the ability to see older Tweets in search results. Now when you search for important Twitter moments, you may see a Top Tweet separate from the rest of the results. This Tweet is the best match for your query based on relevance and engagement. To see additional Tweets from this time period, tap on “View more from this time.” Try searching for “four more years” or “deep challenge” on your phone to see an example.

We’re also introducing a couple features specifically on Twitter for iPhone and Twitter for iPad.

• Tweets and web browsing: When you open a link from a Tweet in your timeline, you’ll see that Tweet displayed at the bottom of the app’s built-in web browser. This provides additional context to the page you’re viewing, and makes it easy for you to retweet, favorite or reply to the Tweet as you’re reading an article or watching a video. If you don’t want to see the Tweet, simply tap the page and the Tweet will slide away from view. By pulling up or down on the tray icon, the Tweet will appear or disappear from view.
• Autocomplete: We’ve improved autocomplete suggestions so that when you search on Twitter or you’re composing a Tweet, you’ll see more hashtag, topic and username suggestions as you type. Additionally, autocomplete suggestions for topic searches will be updated more frequently and feel real-time.

You can download this update from the App Store or Google Play.

Posted by Nick Takayama (@ntakayama)

Software Engineer

On most Mondays, we post “This week on Twitter” to alert you to key things happening in the coming week. Whether it’s a live chat with the cast of your favorite TV show, a Q&A with a political candidate or a pro sports team Tweepstakes, keep current about can’t-miss moments on Twitter in the week ahead. - Ed.

Monday, Mar. 4-10
In honor of National Poetry Month, the New York Public Library is hosting a National Poetry Contest on Twitter. Aspiring poets are encouraged to submit three poetic Tweets about libraries, books, reading or New York City. Learn more and register online, here.
Follow: New York Public Library (@NYPL)

Lend me your ear and look at what's here! It's the NYPL's first ever National Poetry Contest on Twitter! on.nypl.org/ZPShqw
— NY Public Library (@nypl) March 1, 2013

Monday, Mar. 4; 8:00 p.m. ET
Fans of ABC’s hit romance reality series “The Bachelor” will be able to submit questions and receive real-time responses (East Coast only) from the Bachelor himself, Sean Lowe.
"The Bachelor" (@BachelorABC), #TheBachelor
Follow: Sean Lowe (@SeanLowe09)

Women Tell All tomorrow night. One woman definitely blindsides me with an accusation. You don't want to miss it! #TheBachelor
— Sean Lowe (@SeanLowe09) March 4, 2013

Tuesday, Mar. 5; 12:30 p.m. ET
Stars Kristoff St. John and Angell Conwell will be live tweeting (East Coast only) during "The Young and the Restless" using the hashtag #AskYR.
"The Young and the Restless" (@YandR_CBS), #AskYR
Follow: Kristoff St. John (@KristoffStJohn1); Angell Conwell (@AngellConwell)

Want more @kristoffstjohn1 & @angellconwell? #LIVECHAT w/ the sexy stars who play Neil&Leslie Tues 3/5 12:30ET #YR40 twitter.com/CBSDaytime/sta…
— CBS Daytime (@CBSDaytime) March 1, 2013

Tuesday, Mar. 5; 7:00 p.m. ET
Bonnie Somerville will be live tweeting (East Coast only) during "Golden Boy".
"Golden Boy" (@GoldenBoyCBS), #GoldenBoy
Follow: Bonnie Somerville (@BonSomerville)

Wednesday, Mar. 6; 3:15 p.m. ET
"The Talk" co-host Sheryl Underwood will host a live (East Coast only) post-show Twitter chat using the hashtag #TalkLiveChat.
"The Talk" (@TheTalk_CBS), #TalkLiveChat
Follow: Sheryl Underwood (@sherylunderwood)

Sunday, Mar. 10; 8:00 p.m. ET
Phil Keoghan will be live-tweeting (East Coast only) this Sunday’s episode of "The Amazing Race" using the hashtag #AmazingRace.
"The Amazing Race" (@AmazingRace_CBS), #AmazingRace
Follow: Phil Keoghan (@PhilKeoghan)

Will history be made with #Dave/Connor being the 1st #Racers to win a leg on Crutches #AmazingRace@purenewzealand @nooppwasted
— Phil Keoghan (@PhilKeoghan) March 4, 2013

Check back next week for more!

Posted by Alexandra Valasek (@AlzValz)
Communications