Frustrated by the abuses of taxpayer dollars by the infamous Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer today co-sponsored legislation to terminate all federal funding to ACORN and its affiliates. 

 

 

The “Defund ACORN Act” comes in response to recent media reports of potentially criminal activity involving associates of the organization. Previously, ACORN workers in several states have been charged and convicted of voter fraud relating to elections. And just last week, congressional pressure coupled with the impact of recent media reports prompted the U.S. Census Bureau to end its partnership with ACORN. 

 

Luetkemeyer also said it is vital that all other federal agencies with ACORN ties to follow the Census Bureau’s example by severing all ties to ACORN and its affiliates. Last year, Luetkemeyer noted, millions of Americans were outraged to learn their tax dollars were being used to subsidize an organization linked to multiple instances of voter registration fraud and other illicit activity.

 

A congressional analysis of federal data has 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.

 

Luetkemeyer also signed a letter to President Obama asking him to disclose and terminate all taxpayer funding of ACORN.