Cloture
U.S. Senate, Standing Rules of the Senate
A vote to end debate. It needs three-fifths of all senators — 60 when every seat is filled — so a measure with majority support can still be held up without it.
- A Yea meant:
- End debate and move toward a final vote.
- A Nay meant:
- Keep debate open.
Sixteen senators can file a motion to close debate. The Senate votes on it one hour after it meets on the second day after the motion was filed, and it carries with three-fifths of the Senators duly chosen and sworn — except on a change to the Senate's rules, which needs two-thirds of those present and voting (Senate Rule XXII, paragraph 2).
Once cloture is invoked, no more than 30 further hours of consideration are allowed before the final vote (Rule XXII). A motion to table cannot do the same job: it ends a debate only by rejecting the matter being debated (CRS 98-425).
“On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed” is cloture on whether to take the bill up at all; “On the Cloture Motion” is cloture on the bill, amendment or other matter itself.
Sources
Checked against these sources on 2026-10-12.