Ahead of the 2016 election entering full swing, President Obama should mandate disclosure of political spending by government contractors to boost public confidence in government, argues a new Brennan Center analysis issued today.
Since 2010’s Citizens United decision, dark money spending — by groups that conceal their donations from the public — has risen dramatically. The trend raises troubling questions about whether the public can effectively assess the influence of big donors on individual candidates’ policy positions. When it comes to those seeking government contracts, the opportunity for political corruption is even greater and could cost taxpayers millions, according to Requiring Government Contractors to Disclose Political Spending.
In fiscal year 2014, the federal government spent approximately $460 billion on private sector contractors, almost 40 percent of which went to just 25 companies. With so much money at play, the impetus to court politicians with power over those contracts is obvious – as is the American public’s interest in transparency.