Congressman Pete King

Rep. King Statement on Ending Taxpayer Funding of Acorn

September 18, 2009

Virtually not a day goes by without more evidence coming out regarding corruption and potentially criminal activity by ACORN, a radical community based organization which among other things shamefully covers up and encourages under age prostitution. There have also been serious allegations regarding voter registration fraud and other illicit activities by ACORN.

What is particularly infuriating is that ACORN has received more than $53 million in direct federal funding, as well as additional funding from states and localities that receive federal grants. Fortunately the U.S. Census Bureau has severed its contact with ACORN but the other federal agencies have not.

Because of ACORN’s flagrant disregard for the law and misuse of federal dollars, I am co-sponsoring legislation – the Defund ACORN Act – to sever all ties between the federal government and ACORN. I have also sent a letter to President Obama asking him to take whatever action is necessary to end taxpayer funding of ACORN.

It is always wrong to waste and abuse taxpayer money. It is particularly wrong for this disgraceful conduct to be going on at a time when we are trying to recover from a recession and we need funding for veterans and for homeland security to protect New York and Long Island. That is why I will do all I can to keep up the fight against ACORN and its abuses.