Issa, Boehner and Johanns to Receive 'Nutcracker Award'

Award Recognizes 'Outstanding Leadership in Protecting Taxpayers from Corrupt Organizations Named After Nuts'

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Americans for Tax Reform today announced its decision to bestow upon Congressman Darrell Issa (R, CA-49), GOP Leader John Boehner (R, OH-8), and Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE), the "Nutcracker Award" for their leadership in the effort to sever federal ties with the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN). The physical award will be delivered to the Members' offices later this month.

In the wake of recent scandals, and in light of the documented history of voter fraud, embezzlement, tax evasion, misuse of federal funds and other illegal activity involving the organization, Rep. Issa today offered H.R. 3571, the Defund ACORN Act, introduced earlier in the week by Rep. Boehner and others. According to a study released by Republican staff on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform headed by Rep. Issa, ACORN has received more than $53 million in direct federal funding. The House passed the measure on a bipartisan vote of 345 to 75.

Meanwhile, Sen. Johanns passed his amendment to the to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill stripping funding for the organization by an 83 to 7 vote. Sen. Johanns is also the sponsor of amendments to the Interior and Environment appropriations bills prohibiting the use of federal funds for the organization.

"Finally, it looks like the nut has been cracked. For too long, ACORN - a corrupt and fraudulent organization - has been feeding at the federal trough," says Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform. "It is about time that the federal government, and the same goes for state and local governments, too - sever its ties with this organization. Taxpayers should not be on the hook to fund wasteful spending in general, but they most certainly should not be on the hook to pay for proven criminal behavior. These three Members of Congress deserve credit for taking the first step towards closing the federal money spigot for ACORN."

Americans for Tax Reform is a non-partisan coalition of taxpayers and taxpayer groups who oppose all tax increases. For more information or to arrange an interview please contact John Kartch at (202) 785-0266 or by email at jkartch@atr.org.

SOURCE Americans for Tax Reform