[20030421]98-279GOV_参议院法案的赞助和共同赞助.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code 98-279 GOVApril 21, 2003Sponsorship and Cosponsorship of Senate Bills Richard C. SachsSpecialist in American National GovernmentGovernment and Finance DivisionA Senator who introduces a bill or other measure in the Senate is called its sponsor.Senators may together submit a bill, but the first-named Senator is considered the chiefsponsor. The others are considered cosponsors. A bill can have only one chief sponsor.F o r m o r e i 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 BillSenators introduce bills in the Senate chamber by handing them to a clerk at the tablebelow the dais. The chief sponsors signature must appear on the measure when it isintroduced.In a strictly formal sense, sponsorship of a bill only identifies the Senator whointroduces it, and does not necessarily indicate support. Practically, however, Senatorssponsor bills they support. And cosponsors almost always add their names to a bill toindicate support. A Senator may, however, introduce a bill as a courtesy, such