Exclusive:FEMA Awards Fire Prevention Grant to ACORN
By Capitol Confidential on fire prevention
Just a few weeks ago, on September 4th, FEMA handed over $1 million to the ACORN Institute, an ACORN affiliate in New Orleans. The grant is for "fire prevention." You can find the grant here. Virtually every other organization receiving "fire prevention" grants is a fire deparment or medical facility.
Here's some background on ACORN Institute:
An affiliate of ACORN, the ACORN Institute, has been a participant in the IRS tax assistance program. The institute prides itself as a one-stop shopping service for low-income households seeking free benefits. In addition to tax preparation, it also provides information on how to secure government aid and to prevent mortgage foreclosure. Among the ACORN Institute's partners are Citigroup, H&R Block and the Marguerite Casey Foundation. If even many Democrats in Congress are embarrassed by their history of support for ACORN, surely these entities can be as well.
Unclear what any of that has to do with "fire prevention." According to FEMA, anyone with questions about the grants is urged to contact them at 1-866-274-0960, or via email at firegrants@dhs.gov.
FEMA Grant to ACORN is Offensive
By Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) on Janet Napolitano
Earlier this month and despite the public scrutiny over the voter fraud and felony criminal activity associated with ACORN, the Department of Homeland Security went ahead and granted $997,402 to ACORN under the FY 2008 Fire Prevention and Safety Program.
To most people, the timing and the amount of the grant would seem off base, but when you take into account the fact that DHS awarded ACORN–an organization with no clear expertise in fire safety and prevention–a fire prevention and safety grant, it's just plain offensive.
With fire departments all over Louisiana – and the rest of the country – struggling to make ends meet and get the equipment and training they need to protect their local communities, the idea of a million dollar grant going to ACORN is unsettling, to say the least.
I've had grave reservations about ACORN for some time, and over the past year we've seen numerous examples of serious allegations of wrongdoing on the part of this organization and its employees across the country. I simply can't see the logic behind diverting much needed funding from worthy fire departments to this organization.
So last week, I wrote a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano requesting that she rescind this grant from ACORN. As of today, the Secretary has not responded to my request. This site will post a copy of the letter for you to read and see for yourself.
Rest assured, I'll keep working to help prevent further ACORN schemes to procure federal money. |
