This vote was a procedural step to end debate on a presidential nomination. In the Senate, this process is known as 'invoking cloture.' By successfully ending debate, the Senate avoids a filibuster and moves the nominee one step closer to being officially confirmed to their position. While many Senate actions require a high 60-vote threshold to end debate, current rules for most presidential nominations allow for a simple majority of those voting to move forward. This procedural era, often referred to as the 'nuclear option' era, was designed to prevent minority parties from blocking executive and judicial appointments indefinitely. Because the motion was agreed to, the Senate will now move to a final vote on the nominee. The vote was notably bipartisan, with a similar number of members from both parties voting in favor, despite 11 senators being absent for the roll call.