The Speakers Lobby
  • Bachmann keeps up pressure on ACORN

    by Mosheh Oinounou

    Despite being dealt a setback last week, Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) is renewing her call for the government to cut off access to taxpayer money to the community organizing group, ACORN.

    The Minnesota Republican said Thursday that she plans to reintroduce a bill in the coming weeks to ban ACORN and other groups facing indictments from access to nearly $8.5 billion in taxpayer funds for housing assistance.

    "This is about how Congress spends the peoples money in our country and its about the bar that Congress sets for accessing federal funding. The question before us is it a right that anyone is entitled to or is it a privilege that must be earned?" Bachmann said at a press conference this morning.

    The House killed a similar amendment she sponsored barring institutions facing indictment from receiving federal funds that was attached  to the mortgage reform bill passed by the body last week. Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) led the charge against Bachmann arguing that the provision violates ACORN's right to due process.

    Federal prosecutors have announced more than 30 indictments in the last month against ACORN employees for voter registration fraud in Nevada and Pennsylvania and the organization has served as a Republican punching bag since the '08 election.

    Bachman says ACORN has received more than $50 million in federal money in the last decade and the group's homeowner assistance arm should be cut off from any more cash until the pending legals cases are complete.

    "No matter how many times prosecutors investigate and even indict acorn and their employees, they emerge unblemished as far as the federal government is concerned," Bachmann added. "The question is do organizations have a right ot taxpayer money no matter what they do?"

    ACORN is a potent issue for the right and Bachmann's latest call was followed up by the Republican National Committee fundraising email today (after the jump) seeking donations in order to tell President Obama and Democrats "that we won't tolerate using our tax dollars to pay off their electoral support machine."

    UPDATE: ACORN RESPONSE:

    From Minnesota ACORN Board Member Sunday Alabi:
    "It is sad that Rep. Bachmann isn't focusing on the very real issues facing the 6 th Congressional District, which, for example, has the highest foreclosure rate in Minnesota. ACORN is working hard every day in Minnesota to stop predatory lending, and is even helping Rep. Bachmann's own constituents to save their homes. Meanwhile, Rep. Bachmann seems more interested in partisan witch hunts. We are concerned that she
    is trying to paper over the fact that she has once again sided with the predatory lenders 1 and neglected the residents of the 6th Congressional District."

    FULL RNC FUNDRAISING EMAIL:

    Dear ###,

    The Obama Democrats and their leftist allies at ACORN, the so-called "Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now," are doing all they can to cement left-wing rule in Washington for good.

    Over $50 million in federal funding money has found its way into the hands of ACORN's leftist activists over the last several years, but now the Democrats are about to make $8.5 billion more in tax-payer funds available to this radical group.

    All of this for an organization indicted just last week in Nevada, and charged with similar allegations in Pennsylvania, for paying money for fraudulent voter registrations in last November's election.

    Minnesota Republican Rep. Michelle Bachmann's amendment to block indicted organizations from collecting more public funding passed unanimously through the U.S. House Financial Services Committee.

    But now Committee Chairman Barney Frank, far-left Democrat from Massachusetts, has decided he made a mistake by supporting the amendment, and will now offer his own amendment to restore ACORN's opportunity of receiving billions of taxpayer dollars.

    "I did not read it carefully, and it was in the last minute that the amendment was accepted," said Frank. "It is a deeply flawed amendment and I am opposed to it..." Didn't read it carefully -- or just now realized what it meant for his pals at ACORN?

    Since ACORN's efforts are all about electing leftist Democrats like himself, why would Frank want them to go unrewarded?

    It's time we told Barney Frank, Nancy Pelosi, and Barack Obama that we won't tolerate using our tax dollars to pay off their electoral support machine. That's why I hope you'll take this opportunity to send Barney and Nancy an eCard to let them know that the Democrats' assault against our free election right to "One Person, One Vote" and the Rule of Law will not be tolerated.

    And when you do, I hope you will help the Republican Party's effort to spread the word about the Obama Democrats' misuse of power and plans to tighten their grip on our country by making a contribution of $25, $50, $100, $500 or $1,000 to the Republican National Committee today.

    Your gift will also help support the recruitment and election of principled candidates who will defeat the Democrats in 2010 and pave the way to send Barack Obama packing in 2012. Thank you.

    Sincerely,

    Michael Steele
    Chairman, Republican National Committee

Liberalism is a disease

Hey JASON, obviously you're an experienced child that has a computer, and has never defended this country, paid taxes, or probably never held a job. ACORN is corrupt beyond belief. It's kool-aid drinking lazy folks with their hands out that supported OBama, either through their own vote or by buying votes for him. Junior, the country is center-right, and you'll be thankful for that soon enough...what's that? Obama's going to tax those making above $250k? Now it's $200K...oops my bad, now the VAT because his socialist agenda will cause not only income tax increases for those making 40k and above, but also a 10% tax on everything you buy...new 20k car? 2k tax...see a lawyer for a Will for $2k? $200 VAT.....you see, what you support is an empty shell. I can't want for the uprisings to start; probably led by the spoiled liberal left...the coffers will be empty and conservatives will take control. Go to school, boy, get an education.

May 28, 2009 at 2:37 pm

Kathy

Keep up the good fight Michelle, you are pure oxygen in the room. An ACORN investigation is LONG overdue... don't give up this battle. Glen Beck did a great piece on ACORN the other night. I've always been suspect, but wow, ACORN corruption runs deep. Time to expose and rid our system of the cancers... along with YoBama, Pelosi, Frank, Dingy Harry and the rest of the arrogant thugs who DO NOT have productive, hard working American's best interests at heart. The only interests these power hungry people have is self preservation, at any cost. I'm a Bachman Fan-and would be proud to be in your district! Kathy

May 23, 2009 at 11:41 pm

Joseph mccoy

Keep it up. They don't deserve a dime of any taxpayer's money. Let them survive on donations.

May 22, 2009 at 6:59 am

sandra doyle

I watch Fox News quite often and was so impressed with Michellle Bachman when she was interviewed. Apparently, Barney Frank did something right and then realized he had not followed his platform. She is one of few I would support with a monetary donation, and while on this want to say how disappointed I am in Chairman Steele. I thought he was one of the upfront honest ones (who was going to make positive changes), and then to read he is abusing his power by hiring with favoritism and paying them much more than previous employees holding same positions. (No change there!)

May 19, 2009 at 10:10 am

Mel in denver

I believe ACORN is entitled to normal operations as they are "innocent, until proven guilty". "No matter how many times prosecutors investigate and even indict acorn and their employees, they emerge unblemished as far as the federal government is concerned,” Bachmann added. “The question is do organizations have a right ot taxpayer money no matter what they do?” I thought Bachman was an attorney. Does she not respect the law? They certainly have a right to taxpayer money if they've not been convicted of any crimes...which they have not.

May 18, 2009 at 6:37 pm

Steve H

Someone said Michelle Bachmann was a lunatic and should be locked up. She actually was a tax attorney for many years. She is not playing by the rules of "don't ask questions, just smile and be pretty". She is actually reaching towards some statesmanship by saying that the two brothers who are at the head of Acorn and its shell subsidiaries have been siphoning money for years AND running this corrupt "community organizing" entity. I say it's a brilliant front ---but we shouldn't give them another dollar in tax money until the gavel comes down and the court decisions are complete.

May 18, 2009 at 1:20 am

Kary

Go Senator Bachman! We need to stop ignoring where the money goes. Why would a group repeatedly indicted for fraud be receiving government funds?

May 17, 2009 at 3:10 am

DC

pffft.. unemployeed Walmart shopping dems - what do you care? GO do battle on the dem congress, their alligence to obamas bank buddies and their big public f-you to the american homeowner... that is, if you want to be relevant. ACORN should be shut down. They are a pork project that really is not relevant in the first place.

May 15, 2009 at 8:28 pm

MJ

I admire Michelle Bachmann and encourage everyone to pressure their representatives to support this legislation. Haven't we had enough Barney Franks to last more than a lifetime, or maybe I should say our kids and grandkids lifetimes! ACORN is corrupt and even if it takes a long time it is an organization that needs to be brought to it's knees. I don't care if your a liberal or a conservative, enough is enough. Stand up and contact your representatives and other governmental officials and don't let them tell you they'll get back to you. Get them back on track! You want to live in a totally socialistic environment, I suggest you move to France! We're Americans and we stand for something more than what people like Barney Franks, Nancy Pelosi, Chris Dodd, Charlie Rangel, and their cronies stand for. People stand up and open your mouths! Barack Obama is transparent alright - open up your eyes folks - it's happening right before your eyes!

May 15, 2009 at 8:07 pm

Stephanie Jahn

I fully support Ms. Bachmann, I wish we had more representatives like her. I do not care what Party you are with I care about what ethics you have! Ms. Bachmann is showing that she understands that YOU WORK FOR US, not big business nor Political Special Interest. ACORN is being revealled to be a political mafia with more corruption then maybe even the Government! We need the rest of the ethical people in WASHINGTON and I know there are a small few to stand up and tell us like it is!!! Thank you Ms. Bachmann

May 15, 2009 at 3:07 pm

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