This is freaking sweet:

President Obama issued a memorandum on Wednesday designed to ensure that companies that are seriously delinquent on their taxes are not awarded federal contracts.

The order directs the Internal Revenue Service commissioner to review the certifications firms submit when bidding for federal contracts showing they are up-to-date on their taxes. The IRS chief is to report to the White House within 90 days on the accuracy of those certifications.

This is just good, common sense policy. Why this isn't enshrined in law is beyond me. Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) and Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) have introduced legislation to this effect in their respective chambers (Contracting and Tax Accountability Act of 2009, H.R.572 and S.265). It seems like deficit-phobic senators looking for ways to trim a little from federal expenditures could've taken the initiative and pushed this no-brainer through congress.

Obama's Memo here.

Image by Flickr user jronaldlee used under a Creative Commons license.