Thousands of Americans are expressing support via an on-line petition for new legislation that would block taxpayer funding for organizations with a criminal history such as the Association of Community Organizers for Reform Now (ACORN).
Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) has introduced the Taxpayer Protection and Anti-Fraud Act, which would restrict access to taxpayer dollars available through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for groups that have been indicted for violations of state or federal laws. Almost 5,000 citizens have registered their support for the bill available through Bachmann’s online site, according to her press office.
As The Examiner has previously reported ACORN has received at least $53 million in federal funds since 1994, and the controversial group could potentially gain access to $8.5 billion in additional taxpayer dollars, unless Congress intervenes. The track record is not encouraging.
On the very day law enforcement officials in Pennsylvania charged seven ACORN workers with either forging, illegally soliciting or illegally filing out voter registration cards during the 2008 elections the House passed an amendment from Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) that lowered the bar for groups under investigation to acquire federal funds. Earlier that same week new voter registration charges were filed against ACORN in Nevada.
The Frank amendment eviscerated an earlier amendment from Rep. Bachmann that was attached to the $140 million dollar Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act. Bachmann’s version had received unanimous support in a voice vote on the House Financial Services Committee chaired by Frank.
“I did not read the bill carefully, and it was at the last minute that the amendment was accepted,” Frank said in a press release. “It is a deeply flawed amendment and I am opposed to it. Banning people from possible participation in government programs based on an indictment is a violation of the basic principles of due process.”
This line of reasoning is itself quite flawed because due process for organizations like ACORN that are under investigation will not be interrupted as a result of elevated standards for congressional appropriations, Bachmann said in an interview.
“No one has a right to federal funds,” she said. “We have a fiduciary responsibility as members of Congress to establish criteria by which groups can gain access to federal dollars. I believe we should be able to raise the bar above indictment and not be restricted solely to convictions. This in no way denies someone their due process rights in court.”
Under her new bill a determination would be made on a “case by case” basis to determine whether or not a particular organization should be eligible for federal support, despite indictments.
“Federal funding is a privilege that must be earned,” she said. “I think we we’re going to be able to go directly to the people on this and create a grassroots movement because they can’t understand why Congress would not restrict funding for an organization under indictment for voter fraud. This strikes a chord because right now the public understands that Congress is not being frugal with their money in so many areas. We’re going to pursue all avenues and use as many media outlets as possible.”
In her home state an organization known as Minnesota Majority has petitioned state officials to launch an investigation into possible fraud . In a press release the group claims the names of deceased individuals were discovered in 2008 vote records. Sen. Norman Coleman (R-Minn.) is current in the midst of a recount battle with Democratic challenger Al Franken. Secretary of State Mark Ritchie,, who was endorsed by ACORN, was in charge of overseeing the recount, which has now moved to the judiciary.
“People realize that bar needs to be raised for ACORN and groups that similarly situated,” Bachmann said. “The bill I’ve introduced is much more extensive than my previous amendment. It would apply to any funds that go through HUD.”
During the floor debate over his pro-ACORN amendment, Frank suggested that false allegations could be brought against an organization an effort to deny them funding. But it is important to note that the latest indictments coming out of Nevada and Pennsylvania were brought by state Democratic officials, Bachmann said.
“Prosecutors are looking at the law and not the political outcome and this is an area of vulnerability for Democrats in Congress,” she said. “We also have the ACORN8 members who are calling for an audit and I think all of this can have an impact. Bottom here is why should we be so cavalier with the taxpayers’ money, and why set such low standards.”
