“Can you explain the cloture issue for me, if you have time, or point me to a good explanation?”
Nope LOL!
However in regards to just this bill there are only two cloture votes: one to proceed to debate (the one that just happened) and one to end debate which will come Saturday or possibly Friday- or even Sunday.
That vote to end debate will mean that the Senate must then proceed to vote on the bill and any amendments pending.
One of the amendments pending will be from Harry Reid and it will be an “amendment in the nature of a substitute” or an “amendment to strike” which will replace the language of the House bill.
There will be no further cloture vote so Harry’s new bill (funding Obamacare and any other thing he wants) will pass with 51 votes.
That’s why Cruz wants to filibuster that second vote
Then why did he filibuster the first vote instead?