Cloture is a vote to limit or end debate so the Senate can move toward a vote on the underlying matter. For this lower-court nomination, the threshold was a simple majority of senators voting yes or no: 47 of 93.

The process is complete: Powell was confirmed in a separate Senate vote on the same day, 50–44.

• On the Nomination PN851-5
  Jun 10, 2026Nomination Confirmed (50-44)

The nomination concerned who would serve as a federal district judge in Kansas. Cloture allowed the Senate to proceed to the separate confirmation vote.

• People with cases in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas
  The nomination concerned who would fill a judgeship on that court.
• The federal judiciary
  Powell’s confirmation filled the judgeship identified in his nomination.

The vote followed party majority positions: Republicans voted yes and Democrats voted no. The two independents who voted opposed cloture.

• DMichael BennetColorado— One of 7 members not voting; the result was decided by 1 vote.
• DTina SmithMinnesota— One of 7 members not voting; the result was decided by 1 vote.
• RBernie MorenoOhio— One of 7 members not voting; the result was decided by 1 vote.
• RLindsey GrahamSouth Carolina— One of 7 members not voting; the result was decided by 1 vote.

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.