Introduce
To introduce a bill is to formally present it to a chamber of Congress, which makes it a matter of public record with a number (H.R., S., H.J.Res., and so on) and starts its path through the legislative process. In the House, a member introduces a bill while the House is in session by placing it in the hopper — a box at the side of the Clerk desk — with the sponsor signature; the Clerk assigns its number. The bill is then referred to the committee with jurisdiction.
To introduce a bill is to formally present it to a chamber of Congress, which makes it a matter of public record with a number (H.R., S., H.J.Res., and so on) and starts its path through the legislative process. In the House, a member introduces a bill while the House is in session by placing it in the hopper — a box at the side of the Clerk desk — with the sponsor signature; the Clerk assigns its number. The bill is then referred to the committee with jurisdiction.
Example: Per house.gov, any member may introduce a bill at any time while the House is in session by simply placing it in the hopper at the side of the Clerk desk in the House Chamber; a public bill may have an unlimited number of cosponsors, and members often circulate Dear Colleague letters to gather original cosponsors before introduction (congress.gov).
Common misconception: Introduction is not approval — it says almost nothing about the bill chances. Thousands of bills are introduced each Congress and the overwhelming majority never receive committee action, let alone a vote. Introducing a bill is a right of every member; passing one requires the full process.
Sources: Introduction & Referral | house.gov"; The Legislative Process: Introduction and Referral of Bills | congress.gov"