McCollum Gains Support For ACORN Act To Defund Corporate Crooks Convicted Of A Felony
Press Release
McCollum Gains Support For ACORN Act To Defund Corporate Crooks Convicted Of A Felony
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) has formally introduced H.R. 3679, the Against Corporations Organizing to Rip-off the Nation Act of 2009 (ACORN Act), which prohibits corporations with a felony conviction from receiving any federal funding.
"It's time Congress get serious about taxpayer funding of corporate cheats, crooks, and criminals. Last month Congress took action to defund a non-profit serving poor Americans, but failed to act against the corporate crooks that are actually guilty of felonies -- including defrauding taxpayers. Why are companies that break the law as a business strategy allowed to receive taxpayer funds? A government contract is a privilege, not a right. If a company commits a felony against the people of the United States, then that privilege must end," Congresswoman McCollum said.
The ACORN Act is modeled after H.R. 3571 but respects the Constitution by requiring a corporation to be guilty of a felony before federal funds are cut off. The bill:
* Prohibits a corporation with a felony conviction from receiving any federal contracts, grants, or funds in any form for five years after the conviction.
* Prohibits federal employees or contractors from promoting corporate felons for five years.
* Prohibits corporate felons or any applicable individual from contributing to a candidate for federal office, to a political party, or to a federal political action committee for five years.
* Limits the corporation or any applicable individual to no more than $1 million annually for lobbying Congress or federal officials for a 5 year period.
* Provides presidential waiver authority if federal contracts, grants, and other agreements with corporate felons are determined to be in the national interest.
The text of H.R. 3679, the Against Corporations Organizing to Rip-off the Nation Act of 2009 (ACORN Act), is below.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-4) serves on the House Appropriations & Budget Committees.
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