[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Is there some rule that says they must declare a filibuster before voting begins?

A filibuster is a refusal to end debate and “call the question.” If the vote never occurs, you never lose. The cloture vote exists, on the issue of “calling the question” - and a cloture vote can be called any time (after, IIRC, a preset minimum time). But the cloture vote fails if you don’t get 61 votes.

[xzins]

So, anything that goes to vote is by simple majority.

The vote can be held up by talking nonstop before the vote.

What’s it called when they limit each speaker’s time?