Capito Calls For ACORN Hearings

Press Release

Capito Calls For ACORN Hearings

In light of troubling reports about the conduct of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., is calling for congressional hearings to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not being used improperly or illegally. ACORN, a recipient of federal funding, has been under intense scrutiny after representatives of the organization were documented providing housing assistance to a couple attempting to set up an illicit business.

In a letter to Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Cal., the chairwoman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, Capito notes that the subcommittee has jurisdiction over many of ACORN's key housing-related functions and she asks the chairwoman to hold a hearing to investigate current and past allegations.

"ACORN has been on the receiving end of more than $50 million from U.S. taxpayers and it's only appropriate that we ensure that those dollars are not being mis-used," said Capito, who is the subcommittee's ranking Republican member.

"Housing programming forms a significant portion of ACORN's activities and our committee should not ignore the implications of these recent developments."

In her letter, Capito also addressed passed allegations of misconduct by ACORN representatives.

"... we cannot forget that this entity is also facing investigations regarding potential voter registration fraud in Ohio, Nevada, and Florida among others," she wrote.

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