Boozman Cosponsors Defund ACORN Act ACORN, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, began in Little Rock in 1970 to help the poor. Today it touts itself as being the nation's largest community organization of low- and moderate-income families, but in recent weeks it has become even more evident that ACORN is not acting within the law. We have seen media reports unveiling the depth of corruption that exists at ACORN. The American people are rightly appalled at what they have seen. Unfortunately, this behavior isn’t new to the organization. In 1998 an Arkansas ACORN employee was arrested for falsifying voter registration forms. This practice didn’t end there. The Wall Street Journal reported that in 2008 one-third of the 1.3 million voter registration cards turned in by ACORN were invalid. ACORN has had problems for a long time, but the release of videos showing ACORN staff defrauding the government has brought all the problems to a head. The government is a steward of taxpayer dollars and the actions of ACORN are clear cause for concern. The Senate has already taken steps to deny funding through an amendment in the 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) bill that forbids the Department of Housing and Urban Development from granting funds to the community organization. This amendment passed 83-7. It is critically important that we spend taxpayer money wisely. Every Member of Congress has a solemn responsibility to be good stewards of the resources the American people entrust us with. With our national debt rising at an unprecedented rate, there is no time for delay. That includes stopping all taxpayer dollars from going to ACORN. This is part of my strong commitment to fight against government waste and I will continue to look for ways to save the taxpayers’ money.
An analysis of federal data by the Office of the Minority Leader staff determined that ACORN has received more than $53 million in direct funding from the federal government since 1994. That is why I cosponsored the Defund ACORN Act. ACORN is not responsible with the federal funding it has received so I will work to ensure it doesn’t get any more tax dollars from hard working Americans. That is why I cosigned a letter to President Obama asking him to use his authority to end all funding to and break all government ties with ACORN.
On Thursday, I supported an amendment that will stop all federal dollars from going to ACORN and am grateful that the House of Representatives adopted it with overwhelming support. While this is an important step in the right direction, I believe it is not enough. Congress must vote on a stand-alone bill and I urge Speaker Pelosi to bring this common-sense proposal up for a vote without delay.
Given ACORN’s history of fraud, I also do not believe they should have any involvement in the 2010 U.S. Census, and I was extremely pleased to learn the Census Bureau severed all ties with the embattled organization earlier this month.
Read more about ACORN
The tide turns against ACORN - Arkansas Democrat Gazette
National scandal upsetting to Arkansas group’s leaders - Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Obama favors investigation into ACORN scandal - AP
ACORN vows to look into, correct flap - The New York Daily News
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In Case You Missed It
Congressman Boozman hosted a health care town hall at Riordan Hall in Bella Vista on Friday, September 18. Read the news coverage of the town hall.
Boozman Hosts Health Care Forum - The Morning News
Questions varied at health-care town-hall meeting - The Benton County Daily Record
Boozman: Health care debate highlights system’s problems - The Benton County Daily Record
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In the News
Boozman Calls for Briefing on Improvements to Female Veterans Health Care- September 18
Boozman Votes Against Government Takeover of Student Loan Program - September 17
Boozman Cosponsors Legislation Calling for Disclosure of Qualifications and Duties of Czars - September 17
Boozman Cosponsors Legislation to Eliminate Federal Funds for Abortion - September 16
Extended Benefits Ends
The Extended Benefit Program (EBP), which provides up to 13 additional weeks of unemployment insurance benefits to individuals who exhaust their regular and Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits, will end September 26.
The House took up legislation, HR 3548, to extend unemployment benefits, but it only impacts states with unemployment 8.5 percent or higher. Arkansas’s unemployment rate for August-2009 was 7.1%.
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Honoring Arkansans
Congressman Boozman recognized the service of Bella Vista Police Chief Jim Wozniak on the House Floor. Wozniak is retiring from the police force after 38 years in law enforcement.
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