News - Local News

POSTED: Friday, Sep. 18, 2009

Rep. Larsen rejects ban on ACORN funding, says more important issues for Congress to address

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen says he voted against a Republican measure banning federal funding for the scandal-plagued organization ACORN because Congress has better things to do.

The Everett Democrat, whose congressional district includes Whatcom County and an ACORN office in Everett, was one of 75 Democrats to oppose a measure by GOP members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

ACORN has been in the news recently after a conservative filmmaker caught several workers of the community organizing group providing advice about how to circumvent IRS rules and other laws to hide a prostitution ring.

ACORN has no local offices and doesn't do outreach in Whatcom County, but local low-income residents travel to the Everett office for advice on taxes, foreclosure issues, government assistance and more, said state President James Robert Jones. The conservative filmmakers didn't visit Washimgton state offices, he added.

Larsen said he was taking a stand when he voted no on the measure.

"We have issues facing this country about job creation, about protecting jobs like those at ALCOA, like increasing access to health care, increasing access to higher education, that frankly deserve more attention from a member of Congress," Larsen said. "Somebody has to stand up and make a statement about what are the important issues facing this country."

The House Republican Congressional Committee was quick to criticize Larsen in a new release.

"Instead of protecting his constituents from funding such contemptible activities as possible voter fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion, Larsen gave the green light for ACORN to continue receiving public funds for their dirty deeds," the House GOP said in the statement.