1、Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code 98-222 GOVApril 21, 2003Sponsorship and Cosponsorship of House BillsRichard C. SachsSpecialist in American National GovernmentGovernment and Finance DivisionA Representative who introd
2、uces a bill or other measure in the House is called itssponsor. Under House Rule XII, clause 7, several Members together may submit a bill,but the first-named Representative is considered the chief or primary sponsor; the othersare considered cosponsors. A bill can have only one primary sponsor. For
3、 morei n f o r m a t i o n o n l e g i s l a t i v e p r o c e s s , s e ehttp:/www.crs.gov.products/guides/guidehome.shtml .Sponsorship of a Bill. Representatives introduce bills in the House chamber byplacing them in the clerks “hopper,” a box at the rostrum while the House is in session.The origi
4、nal signature of the primary sponsor must appear on the measure when it isintroduced. Cosponsors do not have to affix their signatures to the bill; the primarysponsor need only submit a list of their names when the bill is dropped in the hopper.Cosponsors commonly add their names to a bill to signal
