Pacing legislation
Without cloture, the Senate could debate a single bill indefinitely. With it, the supermajority requirement defines what legislation can pass.
In plain English
When 60 senators agree to stop debating.
Cloture is the only formal way to end a Senate filibuster — get 60 senators to vote to close debate, and the bill moves to a vote.
Simple example
The Senate invoked cloture in 2013 to end debate on most judicial nominations, lowering the threshold for those votes from 60 to 51.
Why it matters
What the term actually changes.
Nuclear option
Senators have repeatedly changed the cloture threshold for nominations to bypass filibusters — the so-called "nuclear option."
How it works
The mechanics, in practice.
Filing the petition
At least 16 senators sign a cloture petition to schedule a vote on ending debate.
The cloture vote
Two days later the Senate votes — 60 yeas ends debate on legislation; a simple majority suffices for most nominations.
Final passage
After cloture, up to 30 more hours of debate are allowed, then the underlying bill or nomination gets its final vote.
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