Boehner Urges President Bush to Stop All Federal Funding of ACORN
House GOP Leader: “It is evident that ACORN is incapable of using federal funds in a manner that is consistent with the law.”
Washington,
Oct 22, 2008 -
House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today sent a letter to President George W. Bush, urging his Administration to block all federal funding directed to the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) and its affiliates until federal investigations into the group are complete. Allegations of voter fraud perpetrated by ACORN in at least 15 states have triggered an FBI investigation of the scandal-tarnished organization. A preliminary analysis of federal data conducted by the Republican Leader’s staff has determined that ACORN has received more than $31 million in direct funding from the federal government since 1998 – and likely substantially more indirectly through states and localities that receive federal block grants.
“In light of recent allegations of voter registration fraud perpetrated by the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), and an investigation initiated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), I respectfully request that you use your authority to block all federal funding directed to this organization and its affiliates until an investigation is complete,” Boehner wrote.
Today’s letter to the President follows a request Boehner and several of his House GOP colleagues made yesterday to Attorney General Michael Mukasey for the Justice Department to appoint a special counsel to investigate the actions taken by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac executives as part of its ongoing investigation into the mortgage industry. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and ACORN all have been implicated as culprits for the current turmoil in the U.S. housing market.
“ACORN, which for years has been closely connected with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, also appears to have played a key role in the irresponsible schemes that led to the current financial meltdown that caused Congress to pass a $700 billion economic rescue bill,” noted Boehner. “I and a number of my colleagues have requested that the U.S. Department of Justice conduct a complete investigation in this area as well.”
Boehner concluded, “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 while it is under investigation. Until such investigations are complete, ACORN should not receive another penny of American taxpayers’ money.”
Boehner’s letter to President Bush is available here.
