GOP lawmakers push back on contractor disclosures

Republican lawmakers are seeking to ban government from requiring businesses to disclose political contributions when bidding on federal contracts.

Legislation introduced on Thursday by Reps. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., and Sam Graves, R-Mo., would prohibit federal agencies from collecting or using information about political contributions made by government contractors. The proposal also would prohibit government contracting databases from including such data. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine; Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.; Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.; and Rob Portman, R-Ohio; sponsored the companion Senate bill.

The proposals oppose a draft executive order, released in April, that would require companies bidding on agency contracts to release a list of contributions or political expenses of more than $5,000 made on behalf of federal candidates, parties or political action committees. Contractors also would be required to disclose contributions to third-party nonprofit groups -- known as a 501(c)(4) organizations -- in which the company has a "reasonable expectation" that the money would be spent on certain campaign activities, such as paid advertisements.

Congressional ire has grown since the proposal was made public. In a hearing held earlier this month, House lawmakers called the proposal "shameful" and said the disclosures could have a negative impact on federal procurement. A group of 27 Republican senators in April sent a letter to President Obama requesting that the order be dropped.

"Forcing small businesses that are seeking government contracts to disclose political contributions will wrongly politicize the federal procurement process," said Graves on Thursday. "Government contracts are supposed to be awarded based on merit, not political support."