House OKs Secret Contributions from Govt Contractors

The House voted May 26, 2011, to let companies getting federal government contracts keep secret their contributions to the campaigns of federal officials (including House members) who may influence who gets the contracts. The vote came on an amendment by Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) to the defense authorization bill. All but one Republican voted for it, as did 26 Democrats.

The amendment was a response to a draft executive order from President Obama that would require federal contractors to disclose their campaign contributions.

The matter remains unresolved. The Senate has not yet taken up the House-passed fiscal 2012 defense authorization bill (HR 1540) — and the Obama administration has not yet issued as final the draft executive order.

• "House Stands Up for Big Business, Spurns Transparency," The Fine Print, OMB Watch, May 27, 2011, by Gary Therkildsen.
• Previous Story: WatchDog of May 4, 2011.
• "Administration Moves To Shine Light on Contractors' Political Contributions," The Fine Print, OMB Watch, April 20, 2011, by Gary Bass.