President Obama neatly summed up his political philosophy last year when he advised Latinos to “punish our enemies” and “reward our friends” on immigration issues. House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., took a brave stand against that philosophy Tuesday, announcing his opposition to a draft presidential executive order that would require any company seeking a government contract to disclose all federal political contributions by the firm’s owners, directors and managers. If Obama signs the order, he will effectively restore the partisan spoils system in federal contracting that civil service reformers struggled for decades to eradicate. “I think there are some serious questions as to what implications there are if somehow we consider political contributions in the context of awarding contracts,” Hoyer said. “I’m not in agreement with the administration on that issue. The issue on contracting ought to be on the merits of the contractors’ application and bid and capabilities,” he added.

Awarding government contracts on bidder merits rather than as a reward for partisan political activity should not be controversial. The law at 2 U.S.C. ¤ 441c bars contractors from making contributions to federal officeholders and candidates during the negotiation and performance of a federal government contract. Obama’s proposed order would capture contributions made prior to negotiations.