An authorizing bill can originate in either the House or the Senate, and any citizen may draft a bill. A member of Congress, however, must sponsor it before it can be introduced in either the House or the Senate. Any individual or group wishing to see a specific bill introduced must first identify one or several members of Congress whose voting records indicate that they might support such a measure and be willing to sponsor and introduce it. If they meet with success in doing that, they must then contact their own elected representatives and lobby them to co-sponsor the bill in order to demonstrate that it has garnered broad support. Letters and personal visits to specific committee members and their staff can also help push a bill onto the House or Senate floor for consideration.
If Congress considers a bill important enough, it will schedule a public hearing to solicit testimony. Public hearings are announced at least one week in advance, and notice of the hearing is sent to individuals, organizations, and government departments with an interest in the matter. Witnesses who appear must file a written statement of their testimony in advance, and limit their advocacy at the hearing to a short statement.