Cloture

Cloture is a procedure used in the U.S. Senate to end a filibuster, which is when senators delay or block legislation by speaking for an extended period. When enough senators agree—typically three-fifths of the Senate (60 out of 100)—they can invoke cloture, limiting further debate and allowing a vote on the proposal to proceed. This process helps prevent a minority from indefinitely blocking legislation, ensuring that important issues can be addressed in a timely manner. Cloture is an important tool for managing legislative debate and maintaining efficient decision-making in the Senate.