House GOP tries to cut off ACORN

Following Monday's vote by the US Senate to block some federal housing funding for ACORN, the top House Republican today introduced legislation -- the "Defund ACORN Act" – to sever all ties between the federal government and the community advocacy group.

Republicans have long been after ACORN, which they accused last year of registering thousands of fake voters.

Besides those allegations, ACORN, which stands for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, is now facing scrutiny after two conservative activists posing as a prostitute and her pimp released hidden-camera videos in which ACORN employees in Baltimore gave advice on house-buying and filling out income tax forms. Last week, the Census Bureau severed its ties with ACORN, saying it does not want the group's help in the 2010 count.

"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," Representative John Boehner of Ohio said in a statement announcing the defunding bill.

“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," he added.

“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.”

Boehner also released a letter to President Obama urging him to use executive power to end funding and cut off ties with ACORN. (Click here to read the letter.)

UPDATE: Also today, Senator Mike Johanns, a Nebraska Republican, wrote to Attorney General Eric Holder requesting a Justice Department investigation of ACORN. Johanns cited reports that the group may "have been engaged in illegal activity" by aiding and abetting tax evasion, prostitution, human trafficking, fraud, and conspiracy, the Associated Press reports.