Cummings Sends Letter to Chairman Issa Requesting Witness to Ensure Balanced Hearing

May 10, 2011

Washington, DC – Ranking Member Elijah E. Cummings sent a letter to Chairman Issa today requesting that Fred Wertheimer, the President of Democracy 21, testify at the Committee's upcoming hearing on the draft presidential order that would require government contractors to disclose political contributions.

"The witnesses you have invited, however, appear to represent only one side of the debate," Cummings wrote in the letter. "I am concerned that such an unbalanced approach would not provide Members an accurate or complete understanding of this issue."

Despite Chairman Issa's commitment in a recent letter to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to hear from "many stakeholder groups" on this issue, the current witness list appears to represent only one side of the debate. Wertheimer is a recognized national leader on campaign finance issues, and would provide testimony on behalf of 34 open government organizations that advocate for greater public disclosure of campaign finance contributions.

Confirmed witnesses include:

Mr. Alan L. Chvotkin, Executive Vice President and Counsel, Professional Services Council
Mr. D. Mark Renaud, Partner, Wiley Rein, LLP
Mr. Bradley A. Smith, Josiah H. Blackmore II/ Shirley M. Nault Designated Professor of Law, Capital University Law School
Ms. M.L. Mackey, COE, Beacon Interactive Systems (testifying on behalf of the National Defense Industrial Association)
Ms. Marian Blakely, CEO, Aerospace Industries Association

Below is Rep. Cummings's letter to Rep. Issa:

May 10, 2011
The Honorable Darrell E. Issa
Chairman, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Mr. Chairman:

On Thursday, May 12, 2011, the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform and Small Business will hold a joint hearing entitled "Politicizing Procurement: Will President Obama's Proposal Curb Free Speech and Hurt Small Business?" The purpose of the hearing is to consider a draft Executive Order that would require entities seeking federal contracts to disclose information about political donations.

In your recent letter to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, you stated that you recognized the need to hear from "many stakeholder groups" on this important issue. The witnesses you have invited, however, appear to represent only one side of the debate. I am concerned that such an unbalanced approach would not provide Members an accurate or complete understanding of this issue.

For these reasons, I request that you invite Fred Wertheimer, the President of Democracy 21, to testify at the hearing. Not only is Mr. Wertheimer a recognized national leader on campaign finance issues, but he would provide testimony on behalf of 34 open government organizations that recently sent a letter to President Obama expressing their "strong support" for the draft Executive Order.2

Mr. Wertheimer has indicated he is available and willing to testify. Thank you for your cooperation with this request.

Sincerely,

Elijah E. Cummings
Ranking Member