Sponsorship and Cosponsorship of Senate Bills (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised March 28, 2023 |
| Report Number |
98-279 |
| Authors |
Jessica Tollestrup, Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
-
Premium Revised Feb. 5, 2021 (176 pages, $24.95)
add
-
Premium Revised March 27, 2018 (5 pages, $24.95)
add
-
Premium Revised March 7, 2018 (5 pages, $24.95)
add
-
Premium Revised July 7, 2014 (4 pages, $24.95)
add
-
Premium Revised Nov. 25, 2008 (4 pages, $24.95)
add
-
Premium Revised June 21, 2004 (2 pages, $24.95)
add
-
Premium Revised April 21, 2003 (2 pages, $24.95)
add
-
Premium Revised Feb. 2, 2001 (2 pages, $24.95)
add
-
Premium March 23, 1998 (2 pages, $24.95)
add
|
Summary:
A Senator who introduces a bill or resolution in the Senate is called its sponsor. Several Senators together may introduce a measure, but only the Senator whose name appears first on the bill is considered its sponsor; the others are cosponsors. A bill can have only one sponsor, but there is no limit on the number of cosponsors it may have.
When a Senator has determined that a bill is ready for introduction, it can be delivered to the bill clerk's desk on the chamber floor when the Senate is in session. The sponsor must sign the bill and may attach the names of any cosponsors on a separate form. Senators whose names are submitted with a bill at the time of introduction are commonly referred to as "original" cosponsors. After a bill has been introduced, a Senator may request to be added as a cosponsor by unanimous consent. Sponsors may also request unanimous consent to add colleagues as cosponsors to their bills.
Supporters of a bill often seek cosponsors to demonstrate its level of support among Senators. One of the most common techniques to attract cosponsors is the "Dear Colleague" letter, a notice delivered to some or all Senate offices either in print or by email soliciting support for the bill. These letters typically explain the issue or problem the legislation seeks to address, the key policy elements it contains, and the likely impact it would have if made into law.
A Senator may introduce a bill as a courtesy, such as legislation proposed by the President, in which case the bill would be designated in the Congressional Record as having been introduced "by request." A Senator may also introduce legislation on behalf of another Senator without having to assume sponsorship. Once a bill has been handed to the clerk, it becomes the property of the Senate and cannot be withdrawn. If a Senator desires that no action be taken on the bill, the Senator may by unanimous consent request that action on the bill be indefinitely postponed.
Decisions to cosponsor legislation can be made for a variety of reasons, some of which might be unrelated to the text of the bill itself. As such, cosponsoring a bill should not be equated with a vote for final passage.
