The objective, not the name

Crossfiles can be very helpful before crossover.

A crossfile is an identical version of your bill that has also been introduced by a senator.

Crossover is the deadline (next Monday) to pass your legislation to the other house and avoid having it delayed in the Rules Committee.

A friendly lobbyist wrote me this morning that a crosssfile had gotten a favorable vote in a Senate committee.

There were two amendments that the House committee staff “could surely get” so that they could be added to my bill before next Monday’s deadline.

No need to hurry, I responded. “I will discuss with the House committee chair after crossover when the committee can move both bills.”

If that happens, it’s likely that my bill would be referred to the Rules Committee but still make it to the Senate floor for enactment soon after the Senate crossfile.

But even if only the Senate bill passes and not mine, I’m ok.

I will have achieved my policy objective.

Having my name on the bill doesn’t matter.

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