H.R.169 passed the House in October 2001 by a 420-0 vote.  Sen. John Warner (R-VA) introduced a Senate bill back in March 2001; it went to the Governmental Affairs Committee, which Lieberman chairs, and sat there.  An aide to Lieberman explained that the Senate bill served as a "place holder" while H.R.169 worked its way through the House; by taking up the House version, the Senate will avoid the need to go to conference.  The aide said Lieberman met with Sharpton as a courtesy; he had already indicated his support for the goals of the bill and had committed to bring it up at the first mark-up session of the Committee.