Cloture

The cloture rule–Rule 22–is the only formal procedure that Senate rules provide for breaking a filibuster. A filibuster is an attempt to block or delay Senate action on a bill or other matter. Under cloture, the Senate may limit consideration of a pending matter to 30 additional hours of debate.

History Briefing:  Filibuster and Cloture

Learn about how the cloture process works on the Senate floor.

Cloture Tables

These tables provide information on when a cloture motion was filed and the outcome of the motion.

110th Congress

109th Congress

108th Congress

107th Congress

106th Congress

105th Congress

104th Congress

103rd Congress

102nd Congress

101st Congress

100th Congress

99th Congress

98th Congress

97th Congress

96th Congress

95th Congress

94th Congress

93th Congress

Action on Cloture, present-1973

Reports on Cloture Motions

Invoking Cloture in the Senate (pdf)

Cloture:  Its Effect on Senate Proceedings (pdf)

Cloture Attempts on Nominations (pdf)

Filibusters and Cloture in the Senate (pdf)

Essays on Cloture

Learn more about cloture by reading these essays from the Senate Historian’s office.

Cloture Rule, March 8, 1917

“The American Senate” Published on June 1, 1926

Related Item

Interested in related materials? Take a look at this Virtual Reference Desk subject for more information.

Filibuster