Vote for Cloture

Senator Mike Mansfield standing behind Senator Everett Dirksen who is typing a document.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield and Minority Leader Everett Dirksen, April 27, 1964, U.S. Senate Historical Office

Senators Mike Mansfield and Everett Dirksen prepared for what promised to be a complicated and contentious debate. They selected Senate Majority Whip Humphrey and Senate Minority Whip Thomas Kuchel of California to serve as the floor managers for H.R. 7152.

On June 10, 1964, the Senate voted 71-29 for cloture--44 Democrats and 27 Republicans in favor--effectively ending the filibuster. The debate had lasted for 60 continuous working days, including 7 Saturdays.

The Senate could now vote on H.R. 7152.

Senators Mike Mansfield and Everett Dirksen standing in a three-way handshake with Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey.

Senators Mike Mansfield, Everett Dirksen, and Hubert H. Humphrey after cloture was invoked to break a filibuster and allow a vote on the civil rights bill. Mss 065, Photo Number: 98.2160