bachmann092309
On the homepage
Thanksgiving
Out There
Video
Reusse's Turkey
Home | Politically Connected | National Politics | U.S. House
Bachmann demands end to ACORN funding
The conservative Republican congresswoman asks the president to authorize an investigation of the group.
Print this story
E-mail this story
Save to del.icio.us
Share on Facebook
Share on DiggMore from U.S. House
Keeping up her long-standing pressure on ACORN, Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., sent a letter Monday to President Obama, demanding executive action to halt all federal funding for the embattled organization.
In the letter, Bachmann also asked that Obama authorize a formal investigation through the Office of Management and Budget of ACORN and its affiliates .
Referring to comments Obama made about the group on one of the Sunday talk shows, Bachmann wrote that it "was disappointing to hear that this issue hasn't made it to your radar screen. ... The American people view ACORN's pattern of criminal activities as a serious issue and you must hold this organization accountable for its actions."
Bachmann's letter comes on the heels of an online petition her campaign office launched last week, making a similar demand to cut off funding for ACORN, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now.
ACORN has long been a target of Republicans and conservative activists, dating back to last year's election campaign, when they charged that the organization was engaged in voter fraud.
Bachmann has consistently been in the front ranks of that criticism.
The criticism failed to get much traction until recently, when employees of ACORN were caught on camera offering tax advice to undercover conservative activists posing as a prostitute and her pimp.
In short order, the U.S. Census Bureau and both houses of Congress severed ties to the group; members of the House and Senate voted overwhelmingly to cut off congressionally-controlled funding.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty also plunged into the controversy, demanding that ACORN be cut off from all state funding -- which the group doesn't currently receive.
The White House hasn't replied to the letter, Bachmann's spokesman said, noting that it was only mailed on Monday and might not even have arrived there yet.
Bob von Sternberg • 612-673-7184
Recent U.S. House stories
Bachmann is 'Miss November' in conservative calendar - September 22, 2009
Ellison calls for consumer finance regulator - September 22, 2009
Ellison calls for consumer finance regulator - He wants a single agency that will look out for people applying for credit or taking out a loan. More
The Whistleblower blog has moved
The Star Tribune is still blowing the whistle, but our look and location have changed. Click here to get to the new blog. If you want the actual URL, it’s www.startribune.com/blogs/whistleblower.html. Our blog posts will now be easier to search on the web site, but you’ll need to register to post a comment. In the [...]
Recent posts
  Free Jobs E-mail NewsletterResources to help further your career. Sign up now. Find Your Next HomeSearch realtor represented & for sale by owner homes in the Twin Cities. Plus, find open house listings. |
Win tickets to the North Star Roller Girls' second bout at the Minneapolis Convention Center.Vita.mn presents the North Star Roller Girls' second bout at the Minneapolis Convention Center on Dec. 5. |
Comment on this story | Read all 205 comments | Hide reader comments