Cloture is a vote to end debate and move toward a vote on the nomination. For this nomination, the threshold was a simple majority of senators voting: 49 of the 97 yes-or-no votes cast.

The Senate voted on the nomination the next day and confirmed Rikhye, 52–47.

• On the Nomination PN851-6
  May 20, 2026Nomination Confirmed (52-47)

Ending debate allowed the Senate to take a separate vote on filling a judgeship on the District Court of the Virgin Islands. Rikhye was confirmed the following day.

• Evan Rikhye
  The cloture vote cleared debate on his nomination; the next day's separate vote confirmed him.
• The District Court of the Virgin Islands
  The nomination concerned a judge position for a ten-year term.

The vote followed party majority positions: Republicans voted yes, while Democrats and the two independents voted no. Three Republicans did not vote.

• RJohn CornynTexas— One of 3 members not voting; the result was decided by 1 vote.
• RThomas TillisNorth Carolina— One of 3 members not voting; the result was decided by 1 vote.
• RTommy TubervilleAlabama— One of 3 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.