Marchant Joins Call for President to Block Funding to ACORN

ACORN Breaks the Law and Violates the Public Trust
The reports about ACORN’s pre-election activities have confirmed what I have suspected to be true for quite some time: they are involved in an insidious and widespread effort to disenfranchise millions of Americans of their right to vote and have it count. And, as has been rightly reported, ACORN has been the recipient of no less than $31 million in federal funding since 1998 – a figure that is quite conservative given the amount ACORN has no doubt received through community development block grants which are distributed by states and localities at their discretion.

I have, therefore, joined House Republican Leader John Boehner in his call for President Bush to use his executive authority to block federal funding of ACORN until the Justice Department can complete a thorough investigation of its activities. ACORN “voter registration” activities have led to: 1) individuals being registered multiple times; 2) underage individuals being registered; and 3) cartoon characters or fictitious individuals being registered. As registration offices are flooded by thousands of these types of applications, the constitutional rights of honest Americans are being violated because of the delay. All of this comes amid reports in the New York Times that ACORN and its affiliates may have used charitable donations for partisan political purposes – a clear violation of their 501(c)3 tax-exempt status. 

Marchant Opposes Funneling Taxpayer Dollars to ACORN
I have opposed efforts by my Democrat colleagues to insert provisions that would directly benefit ACORN and groups like it. In July, I voted against the omnibus housing bill in part because of the insertion into the bill of a provision mandating the diversion of millions in taxpayer money into an affordable housing slush fund which would subsidize the illegal activities of groups like ACORN. Unfortunately, the bill passed. Though the financial rescue bill passed in early October (which I voted against), House Republicans were instrumental in stripping a provision inserted in the bill by Democrats that would have diverted millions more for groups like ACORN.

I will continue my opposition to bills that steer taxpayer dollars to groups like ACORN. Furthermore, we need to get to the heart of the link between ACORN and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and their role in the financial crisis. I strongly support holding hearings to investigate this matter further; however, the Democrats (with subpoena power) have yet to schedule any oversight hearings on the matter until, conveniently, after the elections. 

I am honored to represent the 24th District of Texas, and appreciate your interest in my e-newsletter.  Please contact my District or DC office with any further questions you may have or visit my website at www.marchant.house.gov.