A motion to proceed asks the Senate to begin formal floor consideration of a measure. Agreeing to it is an initial procedural step, not a vote on whether to pass the measure.

The Senate can begin formal consideration of S. 5. This vote record does not establish what action followed.

The vote determined whether the Senate could begin considering S. 5, but it did not decide whether the bill would pass.

• Senators
  The motion allowed the Senate to begin formal consideration of S. 5.

The motion passed with support from majorities of both parties: 32 Democrats and 49 Republicans voted yes. The overall vote was 82–10.

• D
  Andy KimNew Jersey

  Voted NO against party majority— One of 9 Democrats who voted no while most Democrats voted yes.
• D
  Ben LujánNew Mexico

  Voted NO against party majority— One of 9 Democrats who voted no while most Democrats voted yes.
• D
  Brian SchatzHawaii

  Voted NO against party majority— One of 9 Democrats who voted no while most Democrats voted yes.
• D
  Cory BookerNew Jersey

  Voted NO against party majority— One of 9 Democrats who voted no while most Democrats voted yes.
• D
  Edward Markey

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.

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.