This bill would reauthorize the Office of Government Ethics for fiscal years 2000 through 2003. The OGE is an independent agency charged with directing Executive Branch polices to prevent conflicts of interests on the part of federal officers and employees. S. 1503 was introduced by Chairman Fred Thompson (R-TN), and Ranking Minority Member Senator Joseph I. Lieberman (D-CT) on August 5, 1999. S. 1503 was ordered to be reported by the Governmental Affairs Committee on November 3, 1999 by voice vote and a written report (S. Rept. 106-216) was filed on November 5, 1999. The bill was then approved by the Senate on November 19, 1999 by unanimous consent. S. 1503 is now pending in the House.

A companion House bill (H.R. 2904) was introduced by Congressman Joe Scarborough and was passed by the House on November 8, 1999.  H.R. 2904 is currently pending before the Senate.