Cloture Motion

Definition

A formal parliamentary procedure to end debate and force a vote, because apparently talking forever was so big a problem that Congress needed a specific rule to stop it.

Example Usage

The majority leader filed a cloture motion to end the filibuster and force a vote on the nominee after a week of obstruction.

Origin

Derived from Cloture; the motion is the formal parliamentary mechanism to invoke closure

Fun Fact

Cloture motions require 60 votes, a supermajority designed to protect the minority but in practice just lets one party block everything

Source: Senate procedure terminology

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