[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 43 (Monday, March 11, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               EXPLANATION REGARDING COSPONSORING A BILL

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                           HON. BRAD SHERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 11, 2019

  Mr. SHERMAN. Madam Speaker, on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 I stated 
for the Record:

       ``Madam Speaker, I wish to clarify that when I cosponsor a 
     bill, it does not necessarily mean that I agree with every 
     part of it. At a minimum, my cosponsorship indicates that I 
     support moving the bill forward through the legislative 
     process, including being marked up in committee, and if sent 
     to the floor by the relevant committee(s), then subject to 
     consideration and amendment on the floor.''

  Let me reiterate that 2010 statement and provide additional 
background.
  I believe in the legislative process. I believe bills are improved 
during committee mark-ups and by consideration of amendments on the 
floor.
  The effect of cosponsoring a bill is to signal to the relevant 
committee chair(s) that I believe the bill should be marked-up in 
committee, a process that may well improve the bill (and in some cases 
may make the bill worse). When I decide to cosponsor a bill after it 
has completed the committee process, I do signal to the Speaker and 
Rules Committee that I believe the bill should be considered on the 
floor, and almost always under an open rule.

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