cloture
A Senate procedure to end debate and force a vote on a bill.
Cloture is a legislative tool used in the U.S. Senate to stop a filibuster—an unlimited debate that can delay or block a vote indefinitely. When a senator or group of senators refuses to yield the floor, debate can drag on for days or weeks. To break this deadlock, the Senate can invoke cloture, which requires 60 votes to pass. Once cloture succeeds, debate ends and the Senate must vote on the pending measure within a set timeframe.
Cloture exists because the Senate values extended debate and minority protections more than the House does. However, it provides a mechanism to eventually move forward when obstruction threatens to paralyze the chamber. When you see “cloture” in a headline about a stuck bill or judicial nominee, it signals that Senate leaders are trying to overcome resistance and force a final decision.
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