The INDsider -> Nathan Stubbs TUE, SEP 15 9:01AM by Nathan Stubbs

ACORN under fire from Boustany, Vitter

Congressman Charles Boustany is calling for the House Ways and Means Committee to investigate the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now for tax fraud and Sen. David Vitter has proposed an amendment banning any federal funding of the organization. The mistrust follows the release of three videos from filmmakers James O'Keefe and Hannah Giles recently aired on Fox News. In the videos, O'Keefe and Giles, posing as a pimp and a prostitute, receive tips on filing for a mortgage and covering up their illegal activity from ACORN workers. The videos can be viewed online at biggovernment.com.

The ACORN employees in the film have reportedly already been fired and the organization is threatening a lawsuit against Fox News, claiming the films were doctored. Nevertheless, the U.S. Census Bureau announced Friday it will no longer use ACORN in assisting with next year's census count. Boustany, who sits on the Ways and Means Committee, told The Advocate, “These serious allegations involve the administration and enforcement of our federal tax laws, which fall directly under the jurisdiction of the subcommittee on oversight."

(Editor's note: Sen. Vitter was one of nine senators absent when the chamber voted Monday on Senate Amendment 2355 to prohibit federal funding of ACORN. Sen. Mary Landrieu joined 82 fellow senators in supporting the measure.)

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written by Cajunrunner , September 15, 2009 - 05:51 pm

Oh...so NOW Senator Landrieu votes in favor of restricting federal tax dollars from going to ACORN.

Back in February and again in March, Senator Landrieu voted AGAINST amendments by Sen. Vitter to restrict federal tax dollars from going to ACORN.

Always a follower only doing what is popular for her political career, never a leader. THAT is Senator Mary Landrieu.

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written by Phil , September 16, 2009 - 06:22 pm

So, since Vitter has been suspicious of ACORN and tried to shut them down last February, and in March, without any help from the Democratic controlled Congress, perhaps the Ind might give him a little credit for seeing the organization for what it is.

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written by give me a break , September 16, 2009 - 06:40 pm

you know, i think it is nuts for anyone to take action based on a fox news program. those guys are same as the enquirer in my book, just making stuff up half the time.
maybe someone (qualified and without a political ax to grind) should do an actual investigation of this group.

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written by I luv acorn (not) , September 16, 2009 - 10:32 pm

Not sure what "qualified" means in this case, but ACORN members have been indicted and convicted on a number of crimes. This is standard operating procedure for this organization to ignore the law. Also, trying to figure out what Fox makes up, verses the other news outlets. Seriously, have you heard of Dan Rather, Keith O., Jane Pauley, etc., etc. If Fox is like the enquirer, what does that make CNN, MSNBC, CBS, ABC and the likes, responsible?

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written by r u serious , September 17, 2009 - 03:32 am

Wait, Vitter is suspicious of someone else's little prostitution problem? Is someone making this up? Of course he didn't show up to vote. do they come any dumber? please, don't answer....

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written by b-good johnny , September 17, 2009 - 04:41 am

Cajunrunner -- Uhm, last time I checked it is SMART and, uh, a not so atypical response for someone to change their mind about something when they find out something really horrible that no one knew before, i.e., Landrieu's response to Acorn. So, I guess Pres. So, after 911 did you say, "oh, sure, so where was Bush on attacking Afghanistan six months ago?" and call him a follower, not a leader, trying to do the politically popular thing? Ridiculous. We, as Americans, know something today we did not know a week ago. Based on that knowledge I now think the whole agency should be abolished. Am I a moron for not thinking that way BEFORE the tapes came out?

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