House GOP wants to end funding to ACORN

A day after the Senate voted to strip federal funding from ACORN, House Republicans hope their chamber will follow suit.

The Defund ACORN Act, introduced on Tuesday by House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio), would sever all ties between the federal government and the embattled community group, much as the Senate decided to do on Monday night.

“It is evident that ACORN is incapable of using federal funds in a manner that is consistent with the law," Boehner said in a statement. "Immediate action is necessary to ensure that no additional tax dollars are directed to ACORN."

Republicans have always lamented ACORN's relationship with the federal government, but they became more vocal in their criticism following the release of a video last week in which the organization's employees offer advice to a couple disguised as a pimp and a prostitute. As similar videos surfaced elsewhere on the Web, lawmakers' objections grew more resonant, and the Census Bureau became the first to sever its ties.

"I support the Census Bureau’s decision to end its relationship with ACORN, and believe it is vital that all other federal agencies follow its example, Boehner said in Tuesday's statement, adding that the House should act similarly.

A number of related efforts are also underway to sanction ACORN for its conduct. A team of Republican lawyers called on the Department of Housing and Urban Development on Tuesday to sever all activity with the embattled organization. At the same time, Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) asked for the Senate and the executive branch to permit an investigation into their dealings with ACORN. And House Republicans, in addition to introducing their bill on Tuesday, sent the president a letter asking him to "use your authority to publicly disclose and terminate all federal funding to ACORN and its affiliates."