House Votes to Block ACORN Funding
Updated 6:15 PM CDT, Thu, Sep 17, 2009
The House voted Thursday to block new funding to ACORN in a GOP-led blow to the scandal-scarred community group that is already reeling from a similar Senate action.
The overwhelming vote, 345-75, saw a majority of Democrats voting with all Republicans to stop the federal government from working with ACORN, citing several voter registration fraud allegations and probes, Politico.com reported. "ACORN has violated serious federal laws, and today the House voted to ensure that taxpayer dollars would no longer be used to fund this corrupt organization," said House Republican Eric Cantor of Virginia, according to the Associated Press.
The action also follows the Senate's vote to cut off federal housing funds to ACORN. The community organizing group also found itself in hot water Monday after hidden-camera video surfaced showing employees apparently adivising a couple posing as a pimp and prostitute to lie about her work and launder her money.
In response, ACORN moved to save its reputation and guard against future "indefensible actions" by suspending key operations pending a probe. "President Obama needs to indicate whether he'll sign this bill and join us in ending all taxpayer funds for this corrupt organization," House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio said.
The White House is yet to respond to the House measure, but had voiced concern over the tapes. Obama press secretary Robert Gibbs noted that the Census Bureau has already discontinued its work with ACORN after determining the group could not assist in holding a fair and accurate count.
First Published: Sep 17, 2009 5:59 PM CDT
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