Nick Townsend: Federal court ruling leaves unanswered questions for contractors

Three federal contractors lost an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals. The DC Circuit upheld a statute banning any one person who enters a federal contract from...

Three federal contractors lost an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals. The DC Circuit upheld a statute banning any one person who enters a federal contract from contributing to a political campaign or party from the time negotiations start to the end of the contract. The contractors argued the decision violates First Amendment and equal protection rights. Nick Townsend is counsel for Arnold and Porter's national security and public policy practices. He tells In Depth with Francis Rose that the decision leaves a few too many unanswered questions for federal contractors.

Copyright © 2025 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

Related Stories

    Graphic By: Derace Lauderdale/FNN

    Trump revives executive order aiming to strip some federal employees of civil service protections

    Read more
    Getty Images/Anna MoneymakerDonald Trump signs an executive order

    Trump reverses Biden-era order allowing transgender people to serve

    Read more