Jeff, You need to look into HR 350. FAST!!
This just happened yesterday, in the most recent US Congressional meeting behind closed doors, and you need to be aware.
Cloture was invoked yesterday under Unanimous Consent Agreements over Order No 371, House Resolution 350. and it centers around the establishment of "Domestic Terrorism" Offices within Homeland Security, The FBI, and the Department of Justice itself.
*A Unanimous Consent Agreement means that it passes defacto unless objected to by members.
Invoking Cloture here is their means to an end. It means they limit the debatable time to 30 hours by default and it prevents filibuster. After 30 hours it is pushed through to a vote & all amendments undiscussed automatically are tabled.
It is a procedural way to get around filibuster from political opposition, & to keep amendments from undercutting their plan here.
Avoiding a quorum call means members dont even need to be present for a vote to happen.
They are expanding Agencies to target us, the People, specifically, and they are doing it FAST.