and how is the federal gov't stepping out of it's bounds my being particular with who it does business with.
Awww, Daniel-son, that is the right question.
The government may, and can, have requirements as to whom they may do business. In fact, I wish they had more. However, Al Franken is not asking for the gov't to have additional requirements for it's own contractors. It is making law that says nobody may (fill in the particualr wording).