The BUDS Resolution allows legislation in the House of Representatives to have two primary sponsors, one from the majority and one from the minority party, to encourage bipartisan introduction of bills.
Emanuel Cleaver
Representative
MO-5
The Building Unity through Dual Sponsors (BUDS) Resolution amends House rules to allow public bills and resolutions to have two primary sponsors, provided one is from the majority party and the other from the minority party. This formalizes bipartisan introduction of legislation from the outset. The resolution also adjusts related rules concerning cosponsorship and required submission statements for these jointly sponsored measures.
House Rules Change: New 'BUDS Resolution' Allows Bills to Have Two Primary Sponsors from Different Parties
The newly introduced Building Unity through Dual Sponsors Resolution, or the BUDS Resolution, is a quick, punchy change to the internal rules of the House of Representatives. It doesn't change policy on healthcare or taxes, but it fundamentally changes how Congress introduces bills—and that matters for getting things done.
The Bipartisan Buddy System
What this resolution does is simple: it allows any public bill or public resolution to have two official primary sponsors, provided those two members belong to different political parties. One must be from the majority party, and one must be from the minority party (SEC. 2). Think of it like this: instead of a bill being led by a single person from one side of the aisle, it can now formally be a joint venture from day one.
This isn't just about good optics; it's a procedural shift with real implications. Currently, members can cosponsor bills introduced by the other side, but only one person gets the official 'primary sponsor' title. By allowing two primary sponsors—one Democrat, one Republican—the bill instantly signals it has cross-party buy-in, which often makes it much more likely to move forward. For busy people, this is important because bills with bipartisan support are less likely to get bogged down in partisan fighting.
Paperwork and Practicality
Because the resolution creates this new dual-sponsorship structure, it also makes a few minor adjustments to the paperwork (SEC. 2). Specifically, when a bill has two primary sponsors, both of them are authorized to add additional cosponsors to the legislation. It also clarifies the requirement for submitting the constitutional authority statement, making sure that piece of required documentation is handled correctly even when two people are officially leading the charge. These are internal housekeeping items, but they ensure that the new 'buddy system' doesn't trip up the legislative process.
Ultimately, the BUDS Resolution is a procedural change designed to formalize and encourage more bipartisan action right at the starting line. It doesn't guarantee cooperation, but it makes it easier to spot the bills that have serious, early support from both sides. If you see a bill with two names on the front from opposing parties, you’ll know it’s thanks to the BUDS Resolution—and that it might just have a better shot at becoming law.