[20050209]98-425GOV_在参议院援引Cloture.pdf

1 This report was written by Stanley Bach, formerly a Senior Specialist in the Legislative Processat CRS. Dr. Bach has since retired, but the author listed updated the report and is available toanswer questions concerning its contents.Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code 98-425 GOVUpdated February 9, 2005Invoking Cloture in the SenateChristopher M. DavisAnalyst in American National GovernmentGovernment and Finance DivisionCloture is the only procedure by which the Senate can vote to set an end to a debatewithout also rejecting the bill, amendment, conference report, motion, or other matter ithas been debating.1 A Senator can make a nondebatable motion to table an amendment,and if a majority of the Senate votes for that motion, the effect is to reject the amendment.Thus, the motion to table cannot be used to conclude a debate when Senators still wishto speak and to enable the Senate to vote for the proposal it is considering. Only thecloture provisions of Rule XXII achieve this purpose. There are several stages to the process of invoking cloture. !First, at least 16 Senators sign a cloture motion (also ca