Heard on the Hill
Republican Small Business Committee
Contact: DJ Jordan, Wendy Knox 202-225-5821
Chairman Graves Objects To Executive Order Forcing Campaign Disclosure From Business Contractors
"Forcing small businesses to disclose political records will allow this Administration to intimidate the business community and reward political allies."
Washington, Apr 21 — House Small Business Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) today sent a letter to President Barack Obama about a proposed executive order that would force companies to disclose political donations before being allowed to apply for federal contracts.
"Rather than focusing on helping the private sector create jobs through the procurement process, the Obama Administration is attempting to politicize federal contracting by demanding that businesses disclose their political records. Even though Congress and the Judicial Branch have weighed in on this issue, the Obama Administration is attempting to abuse its executive power by forcing its will on America. Ordering businesses to disclose political records will allow this Administration to intimidate the business community and reward political allies. This is the wrong thing to do, especially at a time when federal procurement can be an effective method for helping small businesses grow and create jobs."
This campaign disclosure policy was rejected by a Democratically-controlled Congress last year. The DISCLOSE Act passed the House by a mere 13 votes on June 24, 2010 but was never taken up by the Senate, which included an 18 vote Democratic majority. The Supreme Court rejected this policy in their ruling of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which affirmed the rights of private citizens and companies to exercise their right to free speech through political donations.
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