1、Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20801Updated December 11, 2002Cloture Attempts on NominationsRichard S. BethSpecialist in the Legislative ProcessGovernment and Finance DivisionSummaryCloture is the only means by wh
2、ich the Senate can vote to limit debate on a matter,and thereby overcome a possible filibuster. Until 1949, cloture could not be invoked onnominations, and before 1980 this action was attempted only twice. From 1949 through2002, cloture was sought on 35 nominations, and invoked on 21. Only three of
3、the 35nominees were not confirmed; all three were among those on whom the Senate rejectedcloture. Except in the 103rd Congress (1993-1994), most of the nominations involvedhave been judicial. The 103rd and 107th Congress are the only ones in which cloture wassought on more than three nominations. Th
4、is report is to be updated at the end of each Congress in which additionalnominations are subjected to cloture attempts. Filibusters and cloture are discussedmore generally in CRS Report RL30360, Filibusters and Cloture in the Senate. Relation Between Cloture Attempts and FilibustersSenate rules pla