Cloture is a Senate vote to limit debate and move toward a later vote on the matter. For this nomination, 48 of the 95 senators who voted yes or no were needed; 57 voted yes, so the motion passed.

The Senate held a separate confirmation vote on the nomination on the same date and confirmed Clarke, 52-38.

• On the Nomination PN851-1
  May 19, 2026Nomination Confirmed (52-38)

Cloture allowed the Senate to move toward a separate decision on filling a federal judgeship in South Carolina. The nominee was later confirmed.

• Federal courts in South Carolina
  Clarke was nominated to serve as a U.S. District Judge in the state.
• Sheria Akins Clarke
  The Senate later confirmed her in a separate vote.

The motion passed with votes from both parties: 49 Republicans and 8 Democrats voted yes, while 36 Democrats and 2 independents voted no.

• D
  Jack ReedRhode Island

  Voted YES against party majority— One of 8 Democrats who voted yes while most Democrats voted no.
• D
  Jeanne ShaheenNew Hampshire

  Voted YES against party majority— One of 8 Democrats who voted yes while most Democrats voted no.
• D
  John FettermanPennsylvania

  Voted YES against party majority

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.