GOP LEADER ALERT 9-15-09

Boehner, House GOP Move to Stop All Federal Funding of ACORN

WASHINGTON, DC - House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today is introducing legislation – the Defund ACORN Act – to sever all ties between the federal government and the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN). At the same time, House Republicans are also sending a letter to President Obama asking him to take action to end taxpayer funding of ACORN. Boehner issued the following statement:

“It is evident that ACORN is incapable of using federal funds in a manner that is consistent with the law. Immediate action is necessary to ensure that no additional tax dollars are directed to ACORN. Simply put, ACORN should not receive another penny of American taxpayers’ money.

“It is outrageous that ACORN continues to receive taxpayer dollars after repeated revelations of corruption and potentially criminal activity. House Republicans are responding and taking action to terminate all federal funding to ACORN and its affiliates. We’ve asked the President to end all federal funding of ACORN – and if the administration does not act, we have a bill to stop federal funding of ACORN once and for all.

“I support the Census Bureau’s decision to end its relationship with ACORN, and believe it is vital that all other federal agencies follow its example. All ties between the federal government and ACORN and its affiliates must be cut, whether those ties consist of partnerships or the awarding of federal funds, including federal funds distributed through state and local governments from federal block grants.

“This is a matter of common sense and respect for taxpayer dollars.”

NOTE: An analysis of federal data by the Office of the Republican Leader staff determined that ACORN has received more than $53 million in direct funding from the federal government since 1994, and has likely received substantially more indirectly through states and localities that receive federal block grants. Today House Republicans, led by led Boehner, are sending a letter to President Obama asking him to use his authority to end all funding to and break all government ties with ACORN. Boehner also sent a letter to President Bush, and a letter to then-Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Steven Preston, last year requesting that they block funding to ACORN.