Durbin Defends ACORN On The Senate Floor
Last night, Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) introduced an amendment to the stimulus package that would prohibit the "direct or indirect use of funds to fund the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN)." This is the latest example of the GOP's ongoing ...
Last night, Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) introduced an amendment to the stimulus package that would prohibit the "direct or indirect use of funds to fund the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN)." This is the latest example of the GOP's ongoing effort to demonize ACORN, which reached its zenith with their ridiculous "voter fraud" accusations last fall.
Thankfully, Sen. Dick Durbin stepped up to smack Vitter down, noting ACORN's good works and, more specifically, the assistance they provided to Louisiana residents following Hurricane Katrina (indeed, the organization is based in New Orleans). Watch:
The amendment, by the way, failed to pass.
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I think Durban should have taken 10 more seconds to add the following:
"Furthermore, most of my distinguished colleagues are well aware that the allegations of voter fraud committed by ACORN leveled by Republicans are not well founded, and most by now are well aware of how and in what particulars they have been roundly debunked."
Mr. Kalven and Mr. Zajac ,
ACORN is under investigation in over 20 states for fraudulent voter registration files, not paying the minimum wage to its employees and impeding employees’ rights to organize a union. The video tapes of ACORN offices in multiple cities are likely representative of the organization as a whole. There is no defending the actions of ACORN employees in the videos. Even Press Secretary Gibbs (Democrat) stated, ACORN's actions were indefensible. ACORN has received over 31 million dollars in federal tax dollars and there needs to be some accountability and oversight for the federal tax money given to that organization.
You state, “Ridiculous "voter fraud" accusations last fall?” Your statement is ridiculous! I saw the interviews of ACORN representatives that even stated they got paid for names and did whatever they could to "register" people.
You also state this is a GOP initiative to demonize ACORN. Considering there is a democratic majority in the Senate and only 7 senators votes against the Amendment to cease federal housing funds, I would assess this was a bi-partisan effort. The 7 senators who voted against the amendment are only going to make it easier for the republicans to take those seats. As per polling on CNN, Dick Durbin's approval rating is in the 20%. This is just one of many foolish votes Mr. Durbin has made during his time in the Senate. 2012 is coming fast and he'll soon be out.
Registering fraudulent names is not voter fraud you putz. Those names are identified and reported, BY ACORN, to the proper authorities. Not one fraudulent name voted. That's why it's ridiculous. Collecting fraudulent signatures wasn't invented by Acorn and does not solely occur under their purview... it happens to EVERY SINGLE ORGANIZATION in this country which registers people to vote. They ALL report such questionable names to the proper authorities. It's what they ALL do. KBR collects $30 million in U.S. tax dollars EVERY DAY in Iraq. And what do they do? They consistently pay fines for contract fraud and overcharges, they electrocute (kill) our troops, they poison our troops with tainted water, and they rape female employees... all with little to no accountability. Put your money where your mouth is and let's go after the real criminals who receive obscene amounts of our tax dollars. You don't belong on the same webpage as Dick Durbin.
At 1:37 in the clip, after Senator Durbin remarks "this is the show of gratitude that [ACORN] receives," you hear some rumbling in the background. That's the sound of about a dozen Senators saying "Shame, shame" at Sen. Vitter. You hardly ever see that in the U.S. Senate, but then again, you hardly ever see as ridiculous an amendment as his.