Will House “De-Fund ACORN Bill” De-Fund Military Contractors?
Email"ACORN should be held to the same high standards of every other government contractor," says Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Florida. "But there are bigger fish to fry."
Before being elected to Congress, Grayson was a former government contracts lawyer and brought False Claims Act cases on behalf of whistleblowers against contractors, including many in Iraq. He now sits on the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittees of both the House Financial Services Committee and House Science and Technology Committee.
"We can't have a situation where the laws of justice are applied to one organization and not to any of the others, particularly when there are organizations that are polluting water for our soldiers and electrocuting them," Grayson says.
Contractor KBR installed electrical wiring in Iraq that led to electrocution deaths of US soldiers. One such death, of Green Beret Sgt. Ryan Maseth, was classified by the Army Criminal Investigations Division as a "negligent homicide," though the Pentagon ruled it would not pursue criminal charges.
The Florida Democrat says that the legislation the House passed characterized as banning federal funds from ACORN is actually much more broadly written than that, and could impact hundreds of companies if signed into law.
The House bill, offered by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., bans Federal contracts, grants, funds, and agreements from any covered organization — including "(a)ny organization that has filed a fraudulent form with any Federal or State regulatory agency."
"De-fund the crooks," he says. "The numbers of those who have filed fraudulent forms with the government — it's like a who's who of government contracting."
Lockheed Martin, Boeing Company, Raytheon, General Dynamics — major companies are cited on the Project on Government Oversight's "Contractor Misconduct" website, Grayson points out.
He says he hopes president Obama signs the legislation so as "to rid us of this plague."
Asked for comment, Issa spokesman Kurt Bardella told ABC News, "frankly, I don’t know how anyone can successfully argue those who actually perpetrate fraud and misuse taxpayer dollars shouldn’t be held to a more scrutinized standard. But if people want to start a crusade defending federal dollar recipients who have committed fraud and mismanaged taxpayer dollars – they are welcome to make that case to the American people. For far too long, recipients of federal dollars have been given free reign and some have acted in a reckless and cavalier way and whether it be ACORN or anyone else – abuse and fraud will not be tolerated."
- jpt
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So, the fix is already in. Obama refused to answer if he would veto the bill to defund ACORN, took some heat over it, and has found someone to do the heavy lifting.
No big surprise, he is going to need plausible deniability given his extensive ties to ACORN.
This is a travesty being committed on the American taxpayer and citizen.
“But Bush…!!!….”
Posted by: The Fix Is In | September 24, 2009, 6:31 pm 6:31 pm
What a surprise to see a crooked lawyer in office continue to act like a crooked lawyer when he is supposed to be looking after citizen interest.
Wonder how his constituents feel about this?
Posted by: The Fix Is In | September 24, 2009, 6:36 pm 6:36 pm
Jake!!! I’m shocked, but happy. Thanks for covering this part of the story. I find that I actually agree with a Republican, an infrequent occurrence in these strange times.
Issa said, “For far too long, recipients of federal dollars have been given free reign and some have acted in a reckless and cavalier way and whether it be ACORN or anyone else – abuse and fraud will not be tolerated.”
Yep, I sincerely hope we go after all of them, and not just ACORN. What bothered me about solely going after ACORN was that so much else seemed as if it were simply being swept under the rug.
Posted by: Alyson | September 24, 2009, 6:37 pm 6:37 pm
root out all the crooks…i see no problem with that!
Posted by: wow | September 24, 2009, 6:38 pm 6:38 pm
Go to the Wikipedia page on Rep. Issa and see that he has a criminal record. He was investigated for auto-theft several time and and indicted for it once.
When he calls others criminals, it seems he is projecting.
Posted by: Issa isa criminal | September 24, 2009, 6:41 pm 6:41 pm
I’ve no problem with defunding the military contractors, but someone is going to have to do the jobs they are doing.
Posted by: MayBee | September 24, 2009, 6:41 pm 6:41 pm
Why is it that everything Obama has been part of, seems to be corrupt?
Is there a trend here… and will the media keep digging to find the truth?
I am really wondering who Obama really is and what is his real agenda….
Posted by: NewIndependent | September 24, 2009, 6:53 pm 6:53 pm
Why is it that everything Obama has been part of, seems to be corrupt?
***
You’re blaming Obama? Good grief. I knew rightwingers want to try to ACORN to him but the defense contractors and so on and so forth???? Catch a clue.
Posted by: Alyson | September 24, 2009, 7:05 pm 7:05 pm
oops– want to try to *TIE* ACORN to him
Posted by: Alyson | September 24, 2009, 7:06 pm 7:06 pm
Amazing how Obama brings out the worst in people.
Posted by: Devlin | September 24, 2009, 7:24 pm 7:24 pm
Attention Students:
Professor Obama will be instructing a new class this fall. Please sign up for “Under The Bus 101″ in the main office. Space is limited.
Agenda: To improve one’s ability at dodging tough issues; denying interviews with those in opposition; bringing appeasement to the forefront; a study in TelePrompTers; making friends and influencing people of mass destruction; bankrupting the country; taxing citizens without actually calling it a “tax”; “distancing oneself”; the Church of Wright and Wrong; and much more! The class will be focused on achieving in these areas while using those around them as scapegoats. The students will also learn bus schedules throughout the US so they will be timely in tossing the scapegoat underneath at the appropriate time. This class will provide 10 credits toward certificate.
Posted by: Shoe | September 24, 2009, 7:43 pm 7:43 pm
Sweet
Sweet
Sweet
Justice is sweet
Posted by: Flash Override | September 24, 2009, 8:23 pm 8:23 pm
Read Stanley Kurtz. Educate yourself.
Posted by: Squid Pro Quo | Sep 24, 2009 9:52:57 PM
hahahahahahahaha. Stanley Kurtz? The idiot who tried to tie gay marriage to divorce and unwittingly proved the opposite?
Riiiight. I know who he is. He’s big on guilt by association. In his view, I’m likely a terrorist because I met Bill Ayers once even though I didn’t know who he was till afterward. His muddled and warped analysis of most things is beyond the pale. Maybe you ought to read someone else a little less bent to educate yourself. Just a suggestion.
Posted by: Alyson | September 24, 2009, 10:53 pm 10:53 pm
In his view, I’m likely a terrorist because I met Bill Ayers once even though I didn’t know who he was till afterward.
Posted by: Alyson |
Just a guy in the neighborhood, right?
You got so wrapped up trashing the messenger you neglected to address the central point of his post which was that Obama has ties to Acorn that go back 20 years and from which he is now trying to distance himself. No big thang, right?
Posted by: Foghorn Leghorn | September 25, 2009, 12:05 am 12:05 am
ACORN has been demonized by the corporate sponsored government because they support minimum wage increases,voter participation by ALL citizens. The people who made the video went to dozens of offices before they found a couple of idiots. The portrayal of the entire organization as corrupt is false. I am surprised at the lack of intellect of some of these posters.
By the way, what exactly are the Presidents “extensive ties” to ACORN??
Posted by: get a clue | September 25, 2009, 1:00 am 1:00 am
Just a guy in the neighborhood, right?
… you neglected to address the central point of his post which was that Obama has ties to Acorn that go back 20 years and from which he is now trying to distance himself. No big thang, right?
Posted by: Foghorn Leghorn | Sep 25, 2009 12:05:37 AM
First, just a guy at a huge fundraiser who my friend knew via his profession (my friend is an education prof)– but to wingnuts guilt by association is a big thang if you’re a dem.
Second, right— no big thang. The ties have been explained and fact-checked ad nauseum since McCain used ACORN as campaign chum. It’s a tired, exaggerated, shrill point worth ignoring.
Posted by: Alyson | September 25, 2009, 1:28 am 1:28 am
By the way, what exactly are the Presidents “extensive ties” to ACORN??
Posted by: get a clue | Sep 25, 2009 1:00:29 AM
***
Good question, but look for exaggerated and distorted claims based on just a teeny tiny kernel of truth. I’m sure they’re coming.
Posted by: Alyson | September 25, 2009, 1:30 am 1:30 am
ACORN has been demonized by the corporate sponsored government because they support minimum wage increases,voter participation by ALL citizens.
Posted by: get a clue | Sep 25, 2009 1:00:29 AM
Another good point. That makes them very “radical”–Eyeroll. On the other hand we have Blackwater. Google where is the defund blackwater act, rebel reports for a good blog post on the irony– and hypocrisy– of defunding ACORN while continuing to contract with Blackwater. Mind. boggling.
Posted by: Alyson | September 25, 2009, 1:40 am 1:40 am
Now Barney Frank wants to check the constituionality of defunding ACORN,seems some SEIU Union workers have called him.What a piece of work he is. ACORN has been crooked from day one hiding under the guise of helping the poor,while filling their pockets,with Tax Payers Money.
Posted by: marion | September 25, 2009, 8:38 am 8:38 am
Why did dozens of Democrats in Congress vote to continue giving taxpayer money to ACORN after they were caught in multiple cities enabling underage prostitution?
Posted by: Inconvenient Truth | September 25, 2009, 9:36 am 9:36 am
30 ongoing criminal investigations into Acorn. Now these disgusting videos, These guys make the mafia look like school boys.
Posted by: hkdakota | September 25, 2009, 10:12 am 10:12 am
I see that the commenters here are unfamiliar with what a “Bill of Attainder” is and why any bill that targets ACORN has to also apply to any recipients of Government largesse.
Be careful with that paintbrush!
Posted by: Paul Dirks | September 25, 2009, 11:03 am 11:03 am
Does anyone know how the bill, if made law, would be enforced? Say a federal agency does send money to a contractor who has filed a fraudulent form. What then? Who is going to have standing to sue?
Posted by: Madcap | September 25, 2009, 12:13 pm 12:13 pm
A typical Reactionary Republican Response. May I see you papers please??
Posted by: thebob.bob | September 25, 2009, 12:26 pm 12:26 pm
As if this will ever be taken to its logical conclusion. The rich, well-connected, and corporations all-but-never face justice for their crimes, unlike you and me.
It’s the American Way, what Republicans ignore at their peril is that the growing underclass, bourne of their wholesale destruction of the middle class, has its limit.
Posted by: AR | September 26, 2009, 6:20 am 6:20 am