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SRES 21 112th Congress Senate Congress Legislative rules and procedure Senate

A resolution to amend the Standing Rules of the Senate to provide procedures for extended debate.

Introduced: January 25, 2011 Introduced by: Merkley, Jeff Democratic · Oregon See on congress.gov
This resolution expired with the 112th Congress
It was not agreed to before the 112th Congress (2011–2012) adjourned, so it is no longer active. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Agreed to (Senate)
Jan 27, 2011
Returned to the Calendar. Under Over, Under the Rule.
Jan 27, 2011
Disagreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 46 - 49. Record Vote Number: 6.
Jan 27, 2011
Failed of passage/not agreed to in Senate: Disagreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 46 - 49. Record Vote Number: 6.
Jan 27, 2011
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S296-304, S304-329)
Jan 25, 2011
Submitted in the Senate. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Over, Under the Rule. (text of measure as introduced: CR S244-245)
Jan 25, 2011
Introduced in Senate
 Amendments to this bill 1

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

1 agreed to

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
SAMDT 2 Merkley, Jeff In the nature of a substitute. Agreed to Jan 27, 2011
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Amends Rule XXII (Precedence of Motions) of the Standing Rules of the Senate to state that, if the Senate has voted against closing debate (cloture) on a measure, motion, or other matter (measure), but a majority of the Senators present have voted to invoke cloture, then the debate procedures under the Rule shall be in order at any time, so long as that measure, motion or other matter has continued as the only pending business subsequent to the vote against cloture.

Makes it in order for the Majority Leader or his designee to move to invoke cloture on the pending measure on the grounds that no Senator seeks recognition to debate it.

Requires the Presiding Officer: (1) immediately after the motion is made, and before putting forth the question, to inquire whether any Senator seeks recognition to debate the measure; (2) if a Senator seeks such recognition, to announce that the Senate is proceeding under extended debate (filibuster); and (3) to recognize that Senator.

Prohibits the entertainment of any dilatory motions, motions to suspend any rule or any part of it, or any dilatory quorum call if the Senate enters into a filibuster.

Authorizes Senators to speak more than twice on a question during filibuster.

Requires the Senate, if during filibuster specified proceedings occur, and unless the Majority Leader or his designee withdraws the cloture motion, to proceed immediately to vote on the motion or to vote at a time designated by the Majority Leader or his designee within the next four calendar days of Senate session. Requires only a majority of Senators to decide such a motion to end the filibuster.

Requires the Presiding Officer, if the Majority Leader's cloture motion is agreed to by a majority of Senators, to announce that: (1) the filibuster is ended; (2) the measure pending before the Senate shall be the unfinished business to the exclusion of all other business until disposed of; and (3) further proceedings on the measure shall occur in accordance with the Rule.

States that, if filibuster on a measure is ended other than by agreement of a majority of Senators, further consideration of the measure shall occur as otherwise provided by the Rule. Applies these filibuster procedures if the Senate subsequently votes again against cloture.

What's happening now January 27, 2011

Returned to the Calendar. Under Over, Under the Rule.

 Related & companion bills 2
 Bill text 2 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. Res. 21: A resolution to amend the Standing Rules of the Senate to provide procedures for extended debate.. 112th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/112-SRES-21/
MLA
"S. Res. 21: A resolution to amend the Standing Rules of the Senate to provide procedures for extended debate.." 112th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/112-SRES-21/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. Res. 21, 112th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/112-SRES-21/.
Markdown link
[S. Res. 21: A resolution to amend the Standing Rules of the Senate to provide procedures for extended debate.](https://openamerica.io/bill/112-SRES-21/)
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