Action Alert: Campaign Funding by Federal Contractors

Written on: November 2, 2015

This came through USAction. Perhaps you received the same request from another organization. It is an action worth taking.

Pace e bene,   Sister Diane

This year the Supreme Court upheld a 75 year old ban on political contributions by federal contracts. The court found two compelling justifications for barring these contributions: preventing quid pro quo corruption and ensuring that contracting decisions are made based on merit and not political allegiance. These contractors are receiving billions of dollars in taxpayer money so they should not be influencing the members of Congress who control those purse strings.

But there are loopholes, because Washington loves giveaways to huge corporations. Giant corporations that receive government contracts can secretly funnel untold sums into elections to help elect (and re-elect) the very same lawmakers responsible for awarding those contracts.

President Obama can have a direct effect by shining a light on these dark money contributions. By making this political spending public, these corporations can be held accountable to how they influence politics with our taxpayer money, and help end pay-to-play contracting.

SIGN THE PETITION: Tell President Obama to sign an executive order requiring federal contractors to disclose their political spending.

This entry was posted in With a Heart for Justice and tagged: Congress, corporations, dark money, Government Contracts, President Obama, Supreme Court, taxpayer money, Washington