<P> A sponsor in the United States Congress is the first member of the House or Senate to be listed among the potentially numerous lawmakers who introduce a bill for consideration . Committees are occasionally identified as sponsors of legislation as well . A sponsor is also sometimes called a "primary sponsor ." </P> <P> It should not be assumed that a bill's sponsor actually drafted it . The bill may have been drafted by a staff member, by an interest group, or by others . In the Senate, multiple sponsorship of a bill is permitted . </P> <P> In contrast to a sponsor, a "cosponsor" is a senator or representative who adds his or her name as a supporter to the sponsor's bill . An "initial cosponsor" or "original cosponsor" is a senator or representative who was listed as a cosponsor at the time of a bill's introduction, rather than added as a cosponsor later on . A cosponsor added later is known as an "additional cosponsor". Some bills have hundreds of cosponsors . </P>

How many co sponsors can a bill have