OGE’s mission to foster high ethical standards for executive branch employees and to strengthen the public’s confidence that the Government’s business is conducted with impartiality and integrity involves regular communication with the Congress. In addition to providing expertise and legislative proposals on the executive branch ethics program, OGE certifies the financial disclosure reports of Presidential appointees confirmed by the Senate (PAS) nominees.
With a staff of 80 full time equivalents, OGE successfully accomplishes its mission-critical activities. OGE leverages its internal resources to the maximum benefit of the American public by using cross-functional management. OGE is an independent agency, and its appropriation is found in the Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill in the House and Senate.
OGE’s primary oversight committees are the:
Although these oversight committees have primary jurisdiction over OGE, ethics issues can arise in any committee, related to any agency, at any time. Many issues that arise may seem novel; however, an extensive body of law, regulations and guidance has been developed over more than 30 years on a wide range of ethics topics. OGE also produces educational materials on key ethics issues. In addition to these executive branch-wide provisions, some agencies have promulgated supplemental ethics-related regulations with OGE’s concurrence.
OGE is here to help you with your questions and concerns regarding the executive branch ethics system. Contact us.
Ethics Legislation
OGE monitors Congressional activity for ethics and ethics-related legislation affecting the executive branch ethics program, including STOCK Act and related amendments.
Learn More ›OGE Legislative Proposals
The Ethics in Government Act (EIGA) has been in effect for over 30 years. It has worked well, but as with any statute it needs to evolve to ensure its continued effectiveness in light of practical experience and application. In the last 10 years, OGE has submitted to Congress revisions of EIGA for consideration.
Learn More ›Authorizing Legislation
The U.S. Office of Government Ethics was created by the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 and became an independent agency in 1989. Over the years, the agency has been successfully reviewed and reauthorized by Congress.
Learn More ›Congressional Correspondence
Through formal correspondence to Congress, OGE communicates its substantive views on legislative proposals, transmits its own legislative proposals, responds to written congressional inquiries, and transmits performance and other required information.
Learn More ›Budget and Appropriations
The U.S. Office of Government Ethics is an executive branch agency that oversees the Federal executive branch ethics system with a staff of 80 full time equivalent positions and a current budget of less than $14 million.
Learn More ›Reports and Testimony to Congress
OGE has produced substantive analyses and provided testimony on executive branch ethics laws at the request of Congress. In addition, OGE regularly provides information to the Government Accountability Office as it prepares ethics-related reports.
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