WASHINGTON — President Obama has given a break to federal contractors by easing up on a new executive order that eliminates a barrier for hiring people convicted of crimes.

The new policy applies only to federal agencies, which will be prohibited from asking applicants early on whether they have any past criminal convictions.

Top government contractors joined together to send a letter to White House Chief of Staff Dennis McDonough and senior adviser Valerie Jarrett on Aug. 3 to gripe about 12 earlier executive orders that impact contractors.