Cloture and Filibusters

Description: Cloture and Filibusters Quiz
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: cloture filibusters senate procedure legislative process
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What is the purpose of cloture in the United States Senate?

  1. To end debate on a bill and force a vote.

  2. To allow for unlimited debate on a bill.

  3. To prevent a bill from being brought to a vote.

  4. To change the rules of the Senate.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Cloture is a procedure in the United States Senate that allows a majority of senators to end debate on a bill and force a vote. This is done by filing a cloture motion, which requires the support of 60 senators. If the motion is successful, debate on the bill is limited to 30 additional hours, after which a vote must be taken.

What is a filibuster?

  1. A tactic used to delay or prevent a vote on a bill.

  2. A type of legislative amendment.

  3. A procedure for bringing a bill to the floor for debate.

  4. A method for changing the rules of the Senate.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A filibuster is a tactic used in the United States Senate to delay or prevent a vote on a bill. This is done by one or more senators speaking continuously on the Senate floor, thereby preventing the Senate from moving on to other business. Filibusters can be used to force concessions from the majority party or to simply delay the passage of a bill.

How long can a senator filibuster?

  1. Until they are physically exhausted.

  2. For up to 30 hours.

  3. For up to 60 hours.

  4. There is no time limit.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

There is no time limit on how long a senator can filibuster. However, the Senate can vote to end debate on a bill, which requires the support of 60 senators. If the motion is successful, debate on the bill is limited to 30 additional hours, after which a vote must be taken.

What is the most common way to end a filibuster?

  1. By filing a cloture motion.

  2. By having the Senate vote to adjourn.

  3. By having the Senate vote to table the bill.

  4. By having the President veto the bill.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The most common way to end a filibuster is by filing a cloture motion. This requires the support of 60 senators, and if successful, debate on the bill is limited to 30 additional hours, after which a vote must be taken.

What is the difference between a cloture motion and a filibuster?

  1. A cloture motion is used to end debate on a bill, while a filibuster is used to delay or prevent a vote on a bill.

  2. A cloture motion requires the support of 60 senators, while a filibuster requires the support of only one senator.

  3. A cloture motion can be used to limit debate on a bill to 30 additional hours, while a filibuster can last indefinitely.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

A cloture motion is used to end debate on a bill, while a filibuster is used to delay or prevent a vote on a bill. A cloture motion requires the support of 60 senators, while a filibuster requires the support of only one senator. A cloture motion can be used to limit debate on a bill to 30 additional hours, while a filibuster can last indefinitely.

Which of the following is NOT a type of filibuster?

  1. A talking filibuster.

  2. A silent filibuster.

  3. A cloture motion.

  4. A quorum call.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

A cloture motion is a procedure used to end debate on a bill, not to delay or prevent a vote. A talking filibuster is a filibuster in which a senator speaks continuously on the Senate floor. A silent filibuster is a filibuster in which a senator simply objects to a bill without speaking. A quorum call is a procedure used to determine whether there are enough senators present to conduct business.

What is the minimum number of senators needed to file a cloture motion?

  1. 16

  2. 20

  3. 30

  4. 60


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A cloture motion requires the support of 16 senators to be filed. However, it requires the support of 60 senators to be successful.

What is the maximum number of hours that debate on a bill can be limited to after a cloture motion is successful?

  1. 30

  2. 60

  3. 90

  4. 120


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

After a cloture motion is successful, debate on the bill is limited to 30 additional hours.

Which of the following is NOT a reason why a senator might filibuster a bill?

  1. To delay or prevent a vote on a bill.

  2. To force concessions from the majority party.

  3. To change the rules of the Senate.

  4. To express their opposition to a bill.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Filibusters are used to delay or prevent a vote on a bill, to force concessions from the majority party, or to express opposition to a bill. They cannot be used to change the rules of the Senate.

Which of the following is NOT a way to end a filibuster?

  1. By filing a cloture motion.

  2. By having the Senate vote to adjourn.

  3. By having the Senate vote to table the bill.

  4. By having the President veto the bill.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

A filibuster can be ended by filing a cloture motion, having the Senate vote to adjourn, or having the Senate vote to table the bill. A presidential veto cannot end a filibuster.

Which of the following is NOT a type of filibuster?

  1. A talking filibuster.

  2. A silent filibuster.

  3. A cloture motion.

  4. A quorum call.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

A cloture motion is a procedure used to end debate on a bill, not to delay or prevent a vote. A talking filibuster is a filibuster in which a senator speaks continuously on the Senate floor. A silent filibuster is a filibuster in which a senator simply objects to a bill without speaking. A quorum call is a procedure used to determine whether there are enough senators present to conduct business.

What is the minimum number of senators needed to file a cloture motion?

  1. 16

  2. 20

  3. 30

  4. 60


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A cloture motion requires the support of 16 senators to be filed. However, it requires the support of 60 senators to be successful.

What is the maximum number of hours that debate on a bill can be limited to after a cloture motion is successful?

  1. 30

  2. 60

  3. 90

  4. 120


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

After a cloture motion is successful, debate on the bill is limited to 30 additional hours.

Which of the following is NOT a reason why a senator might filibuster a bill?

  1. To delay or prevent a vote on a bill.

  2. To force concessions from the majority party.

  3. To change the rules of the Senate.

  4. To express their opposition to a bill.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Filibusters are used to delay or prevent a vote on a bill, to force concessions from the majority party, or to express opposition to a bill. They cannot be used to change the rules of the Senate.

Which of the following is NOT a way to end a filibuster?

  1. By filing a cloture motion.

  2. By having the Senate vote to adjourn.

  3. By having the Senate vote to table the bill.

  4. By having the President veto the bill.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

A filibuster can be ended by filing a cloture motion, having the Senate vote to adjourn, or having the Senate vote to table the bill. A presidential veto cannot end a filibuster.

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