News and Views

Congressman Lewis Urges Administration to Suspend Federal Funds to ACORN

WASHINGTON – Congressman Jerry Lewis Tuesday called for the suspension of all federal funding to the group known as ACORN in the wake of on-going possible scandals involving group members giving advice on how to set up brothels in cities from Baltimore to San Bernardino.

“I have joined many of my colleagues in sending an official request to the administration to suspend all payment of federal funds to ACORN until we can get to the bottom of these extremely troubling reports,” said Lewis, the senior Republican member of the House Appropriations Committee. “We must keep in mind that they are only television reports at this point, but it would be irresponsible for us to entrust millions of federal dollars to this group until the issue is resolved.”

Lewis joined House Minority Leader John Boehner in sending a letter to the administration, calling for an immediate investigation into allegations that members of ACORN advised undercover filmmakers on how to set up a prostitution ring in four cities, including San Bernardino. He also is an original cosponsor of legislation introduced by Boehner to defund the organization pending the investigation. A congressional analysis shows ACORN has received $53 million from federal agencies since 1994.

“We cannot allow ACORN to continue to receive federal funds after numerous reports of potentially criminal activity,” Lewis said. “All ties between the federal government and ACORN must be suspended until these reports are thoroughly investigated and resolved.”

Lewis noted that the Census Bureau has rejected a potential contract with the organization to work on the 2010 census, and that the Senate Monday voted overwhelmingly to bar ACORN from receiving any federal transportation or housing funds in the upcoming fiscal year.

“I support the Senate’s action and will call for the House to accept that provision in my role on the Appropriations Committee,” Lewis said. “It is outrageous for any federal funds to be going to an organization that condones this type of activity.”

Lewis urged local authorities to investigate the latest reports that ACORN workers in San Bernardino were involved in advising the undercover film-makers on how to set up a brothel and avoid police and prosecutors.

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