March 26, 2009

Vitter Introduces ACORN Amendment to National Service Bill

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Sen. David Vitter today introduced an amendment to the National Service Bill to prevent the participation of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now in any government-sponsored activity as defined in the legislation. A provision within the National Service Bill prevents the use of funds for voter registration but Vitter contends that ACORN’s voter registration activities could be strengthened though the assignment of federally-sponsored volunteers.

“It’s certainly not news to anyone that ACORN has been the subject of some controversy over the past year, and last year’s presidential election brought to light evidence of ACORN chapters engaging in fraudulent voter registration activities,” said Vitter. “They are currently under federal investigation, and this is simply not the sort of organization that should be funded by taxpayer dollars. Although this bill prevents the use of funds for political activities, a loophole exists that would allow volunteers sponsored by the federal government to work on behalf of ACORN, freeing up ACORN workers to engage in voter registration activities. The fact that ACORN has been caught engaging in a number of suspect activities is of even more concern.”

Vitter’s amendment would prevent ACORN from being allowed to participate in any program involving the use of government-sponsored volunteers.