Media Release

THE STATE COLUMN: Rep. Rokita Sends Letter to the President Urging Withdrawal of Executive Order

Rep. Todd Rokita (IN-4) released the following statement today after sending a letter to the President late yesterday afternoon urging him to withdraw a proposed executive order requiring all applicants for federal contracts to disclose their political contributions:

“This Executive Order is a cynical attempt to inject politics into federal government contracting under the guise of transparency and accountability. It will create an ‘enemies list’ that the Administration and their liberal allies will use to punish private citizens and their employers. As a former Indiana Secretary of State who oversaw elections, I find this to be an outrageous overreach by the President.

I call on the President to withdraw this Executive Order and inform him that should he decide not to, members of the House are prepared to take legislative action to prevent it from taking effect.”

43 members of Congress co-signed Rokita’s letter to the President.

Federal law already forbids contractors from making political contributions to any political party, committee, or federal candidate for public office. This proposed Executive Order mandating federal contractors (and their officers and directors) to disclose contributions including membership dues and charitable contributions to trade associations and social welfare organizations serves no effective governmental purpose.