A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction against an Obama administration executive order requiring government contractors to disclose past labor law violations, handing a small legal victory to Associated Builders and Contractors.

ABC sued the federal government earlier this month in an attempt to overturn the rule, which the group and other critics say unfairly "blacklists" contractors. The Obama administration says the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order will protect workers by preventing tax dollars from going to companies that break the law.

U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone granted ABC a temporary injunction against implementation of the order on Monday. She noted federal courts have regular enjoined federal agencies from enforcing new regulations pending litigation.

ABC welcomed the decision, noting the association's members fulfilled 60 percent of all federal government contracts during the last six years.

"The ruling also pushes back against the Obama administration's executive overreach and unfortunate attempt to circumvent the will of Congress, which has carefully crafted laws to deal with companies that violate contracting rules," ABC Vice President of Regulatory, Labor & State Affairs Ben Brubeck said.

The U.S. Department of Labor acknowledged the injunction on the agency's website but otherwise did not comment on the decision.

ABC's Southeast Texas Chapter and the National Association of Security Companies have joined the association in the lawsuit.

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