They have denounced many of the Administration's proposals and co-sponsored narrower legislation that passed the subcommittee on Tuesday.

If the bill passes the subcommittee with a favorable vote, it is sent back to the full committee for further consideration, hearings, amendment and vote.

The bill, which unanimously passed the subcommittee on Government Management, Information and Technology, would require part-time Government consultants or advisers, including those to members of Congress and the judiciary, to be subject to various ethical laws if they perform significant governmental functions.

The bill passed the subcommittee by voice vote and the full House Judiciary Committee by a vote of 20-14.

The bill, which passed the subcommittee mainly along party lines, appears to be in direct response to Mr. Spitzer's aggressive Wall Street inquiry.

Once the bill passes the subcommittee by majority vote, it then moves on to full committee.