Advocacy Glossary
Cloture
Cloture is the Senate procedure that ends debate on a measure so it can reach a vote. It generally requires 60 senators, which is why most major legislation needs 60 votes rather than a simple majority.
Cloture exists because Senate rules otherwise allow unlimited debate, the loophole behind the filibuster. Invoking cloture is how the chamber moves on.
For advocates counting votes, the practical Senate threshold is usually 60, not 51. A bill with majority support can still stall short of cloture.
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