We need to give credit where credit is due. Today, the AP reports that acting under a tip from ACORN, authorities in Florida have arrested 11 individuals accused of falsifying hundreds of voter applications during a registration drive last year. According to the press report, "the suspects collectively turned in about 1,400 registration cards, of which 888 were later found to be faked."

While this was certainly a smart move on ACORN’s part to assist in this criminal investigation, this controversial organization is far too often implicated in these falsified voter registration activities.

In fact, over the years, ACORN and its employees have been the subject of investigations, indictments, and consent decrees in states all across the nation for election-related activities that run afoul of the law. Yet, since 1994, Congress has given it $53 million.  And, legislation passed this year alone will make billions potentially available to this organization.  Could Washington find no more worthy way to spend your money?

I put this to a vote by the House of Representatives with an amendment that said that organizations that have been indicted for voter registration fraud or who employee people who have been so indicted shouldn’t be eligible for taxpayer funding.  On a nearly party-line vote, my amendment failed.  Coincidently, that very week the vote took place, ACORN was hauled into court in two states for voter registration fraud.  If Congress cannot draw the line here, where will it draw the line on how it spends your money?

To add insult to injury, the U.S. Census Bureau has chosen to partner with ACORN for the 2010 census.  Their partnership program is meant to build confidence and trust in the census.  How can partnering with ACORN further these goals?  I am about to introduce the Census Improvement Act, which in part would prohibit ACORN or any organization which has been indicted for election law violations – or who employ individuals who have – from participating in the Planning Partnership Program for the 2010 Census. 

When your government gives out your money, the recipient must be trustworthy. Clearly, ACORN has a lot of work to do before they fit the bill.