Cloture

The only procedure by which the Senate can vote to place a time limit on consideration of a bill or other matter, thereby overcoming a filibuster. The two-step procedure begins with the filing of a petition for cloture signed by 16 Senators. A vote on cloture occurs two days after the petition is filed, and is considered successful if approved by three-fifths of the full Senate (60 votes, assuming that there are no vacancies). After cloture has been invoked, no more than 30 hours of debate may occur, no Senator may speak for more than one hour, and no amendments may be proposed unless they are relevant and were filed on the day between the presentation of the cloture petition and the cloture vote.