What is the purpose of cloture in the Senate?

Cloture is a parliamentary procedure used in the Senate to limit further debate on a bill or other matters, effectively bringing an end to a filibuster or extended discussion. Cloture requires a minimum of 60 votes to pass and, once invoked, sets a time limit on further debate, generally allowing for a maximum of 30 additional hours. This mechanism is crucial for maintaining legislative efficiency and preventing an individual senator or a small group of senators from indefinitely delaying a vote on a bill.

The other options do not accurately describe the purpose of cloture. For instance, while extending debate time or facilitating committee discussions might be possible in different contexts, they do not align with the specific function of cloture. Similarly, ensuring that all members speak does not correlate with the intention of cloture, which is to restrict rather than expand debate. Understanding cloture is essential for grasping how the Senate operates and how it manages the legislative process.