Crapo: Cut Funding For Acorn

Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo wants to cut all funding for the community action group ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now). Earlier this week, Crapo voted with the majority of the Senate (83 to 7) to block federal funding to ACORN from the transportation and housing appropriations bill. Today, the Senate voted (85 to 11) to stop Interior funding that could go to the organization. Crapo has also co-sponsored a bill introduced by Senator Mike Johanns (R-Nebraska) that would block all funding, similar to a vote today in the U.S. House of Representatives. ACORN has received $53 million in federal funds since 1994

"Taxpayer funds should not be used for waste, fraud, or abuse," Crapo said. "In addition to supporting an investigation into actions of ACORN, I am supporting legislation that prohibits any federal funds from going to ACORN."

The problems surrounding ACORN include arrest warrants being issued for employees and calls for state and federal investigations from members of Congress and state governors. Past ACORN associates have also faced charges of falsified voter records and allegations of embezzlement of federal funds.

"The Census Bureau has cut funding to ACORN and Congress should follow suit," Crapo added. "We need to ensure that taxpayer money is not being misused and the best way to do that is to stop all funding. ACORN's own admission of problems makes this decision even easier. Congress should match the actions being demanded by Idahoans who are contacting me and stop all funding now for ACORN.