Cloture is a vote to limit or end debate so the Senate can move toward a vote on the matter itself. Under the post-2013 rule noted here, cloture on executive-branch and lower-court nominations requires a simple majority of senators voting.

The Senate can proceed to confirmation votes on the nominations. This cloture vote itself did not confirm them.

The vote cleared the debate hurdle and allows the Senate to move toward confirmation votes, but it did not confirm any nominee.

• Nominees listed in the question
  Their nominations can proceed toward confirmation votes.

The parties' majority positions split along party lines: Republicans supported cloture and Democrats opposed it. The two voting independents opposed cloture.

• DElissa SlotkinMichigan— One of 3 members not voting; the result was decided by 2 votes.
• RBill CassidyLouisiana— One of 3 members not voting; the result was decided by 2 votes.
• RJerry MoranKansas— One of 3 members not voting; the result was decided by 2 votes.

Cloture

Senate procedure that ends debate on a measure. Requires 60 votes to invoke on most legislation, simple majority on nominations after the 2013/2017 nuclear options. Voting yes on cloture is not the same as voting yes on the underlying bill — many senators do one but not the other.

Motion to proceed

Senate motion to begin formal floor consideration of a bill. Itself filibusterable, so often the first hurdle a bill faces — and often where bills die without ever being debated on their merits.