[sliverstorm]

only if he stops can the process continue?

That's the idea. So long as he has the floor, they can't vote. But he can only keep the floor so long as he keeps talking.

Can he realistically achieve anything here?

One person can't usually achieve more than a political statement, because one person can't usually talk for long enough to have a meaningful impact. Successful filibusters usually involve the cooperation of a number of people.

[jkestner]

It'd be nice if Wyden joined him.

[shmerl]

He just did.