WASHINGTON — The day after the Senate voted overwhelmingly to slash funding for ACORN, New York House members said they were willing to follow suit — as Republican leaders took aggressive new steps to investigate the nonprofit group.
A spokesman for Rep. Michael McMahon (D-SI) said: “The congressman is supportive of the amendment offered . . . to deny any federal funding to the group ACORN, and urges the House and Senate conferees to include this provision as part of the final bill.”
And Rep. Anthony Weiner, a Democrat whose district includes Brooklyn and Queens, said: “I’d be open to it.”
Taken with the large number of Senate Democrats who voted Monday to slash money for ACORN, the comments demonstrate a significant undermining of support among the group’s traditional allies in Congress.
House Minority Leader John Boehner (Ohio) and other Republicans yesterday introduced legislation to eliminate all federal funding for the group and its branches, which offer housing advice and other counseling in low-income communities.
“It is evident that ACORN is incapable of using federal funds in a manner that is consistent with the law,” Boehner said.
“Immediate action is necessary to ensure that no additional tax dollars are directed to ACORN. Simply put, ACORN should not receive another penny of American taxpayers’ money.”
Boehner also wrote the head of the IRS asking the agency to “sever all ties” with ACORN, days after the Census Bureau moved to end its “partnership.” with the group.