What is cloture?

Cloture is the Senate’s procedure for bringing debate to an end. For most legislation, it requires three-fifths of all senators, normally 60 votes; ending debate is not the same as passing the bill.

Official explanation

Most nominations follow different precedents and can reach cloture by a simple majority. A cloture vote may concern a motion to begin considering a bill, rather than the bill itself.

Examples from recorded Senate votes

DateQuestionResultYea–Nay
2026-11-09A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude from gross income any damages, other than punitive damages, received on account of any sexual acts or sexual contact.Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Agreed to73–25
2026-09-30Keith Sonderling, of Florida, to be Secretary of LaborCloture Motion Agreed to53–47
2026-09-30A bill to amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to establish a Federal standard relating to the recovery of the full, incremental costs of upgrades that serve large-load customers, and for other purposes.Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected57–43
2026-09-30A bill to amend chapter 131 of title 5 to require certain restrictions on stocks for Members of Congress and their spouses and dependents, and for other purposes.Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected53–47
2026-09-24A bill to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes.Cloture Motion Agreed to74–25
2026-09-22In the nature of a substitute.Cloture Motion Agreed to70–21
2026-09-22Angela Veronica Colmenero, of Texas, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of TexasCloture Motion Agreed to52–43
2026-09-17Kasdin Miller Mitchell, of Texas, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of TexasCloture Motion Agreed to49–47