BUDS Resolution

Bill Number

H.Res. 501

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Congress

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-06-11: Referred to the House Committee on Rules.

Last Updated

2025-09-18T08:06:54Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This resolution aims to promote bipartisanship in the U.S. House of Representatives by allowing members from different political parties to jointly sponsor legislation, encouraging collaboration across party lines.

Key Provisions

• Joint Sponsorship Authorization: Amends House Rule XII, Clause 7, by adding a new paragraph (e) that permits two members (including delegates and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico) to jointly sponsor a public bill or public resolution, provided one is from the majority party and the other from the minority party.
• Cosponsor Naming Rights: Updates Clause 7(b)(1) to allow both joint sponsors to name additional cosponsors (supporters who add their names to the bill after introduction).
• Constitutional Authority Statements: Modifies Clause 7(c)(1) to require both joint sponsors to submit statements explaining the constitutional basis for the proposed legislation.
• Short Title: The resolution is titled the "Building Unity through Dual Sponsors Resolution" or "BUDS Resolution."

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Prior House rules allowed individual sponsorship or multiple cosponsors but did not explicitly permit formal joint sponsorship limited to one member from each party (majority and minority).
• This introduces a structured bipartisan sponsorship option, with conforming changes to ensure both sponsors have equal procedural rights, such as adding cosponsors and filing required statements, which were previously tied to a single sponsor.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Minimal direct impact, as this affects only House legislative procedures; it could indirectly lead to more bipartisan bills reaching committees or the floor for consideration.
• On Citizens: May foster more collaborative legislation on issues affecting the public, potentially resulting in policies with broader support and less partisan gridlock.
• On International Relations: No direct impact, though it could encourage unified U.S. positions on foreign policy matters if applied to relevant bills.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• House Members: Primarily benefits representatives from both major parties (e.g., Democrats and Republicans) by enabling easier cross-party collaboration on bill introductions.
• Delegates and Resident Commissioner: Explicitly included, allowing non-voting members from territories to participate in joint sponsorship.
• Legislative Committees: The Committee on Rules will oversee implementation, and other committees may see more bipartisan proposals.
• Broader Congress: Could influence Senate procedures indirectly if similar bipartisan bills advance.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal/Procedural: Strengthens House rules on bill introduction without altering constitutional requirements; ensures compliance with existing mandates for constitutional authority statements, maintaining accountability for proposed laws' basis in the U.S. Constitution.
• Constitutional: No direct challenges, as it operates within the House's authority to set its own rules under Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution.
• Political: Promotes unity and reduces partisanship by incentivizing cross-aisle partnerships, potentially improving legislative efficiency and public perception of Congress; introduced by a bipartisan group of 12 members, signaling broad initial support.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]

Cosponsors (15)

Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Timmons, William R. [R-SC-4], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp [D-WA-3], Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large]

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-11: Referred to the House Committee on Rules.
• 2025-06-11: Submitted in House
• 2025-06-11: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Building Unity through Dual Sponsors Resolution — issued 2025-06-11 — PDF (3 pages)