[norton]

"doesn't voting against cloture require the debate to continue?"

That's the spin -
Cloture means debate ends and a vote (not requiring a 60 vote majority) takes place. The 'bipartisans' are NOW claiming that passage on a simple majority vote would encourage debate, presumably when the Senate and House bills met in conference.

[RightWhale]

encourage debate

Debate is whether to be fried, boiled, or broiled.