The sponsors of a bill are its principal authors. Bills often take their sponsors' names, such as the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act, known for its three Senate sponsors, or the Humphrey-Hawkins Act, known for its chief sponsors in the Senate and House of Representatives. To demonstrate the popularity of a bill and to gather further support, sponsors will send out “Dear Colleague” letters, circulating the bill among other members and urging them to cosponsor it. The names of sponsors and cosponsors are printed at the top of each bill and in the Congressional Record.
See also “Dear Colleague” letters
