[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 10, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E8]
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

                       Tuesday, January 10, 2023

  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, it's appropriate for me to republish my 
statement of March 11, 2019 on the meaning of cosponsoring legislation. 
Much of that statement was a republication of my statement of September 
29, 2010, as I've maintained a consistent policy on this issue. The 
following is a republication of my statement of March 11, 2019.
  ``Madam Speaker, on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 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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