Defense Contractors Caught in GOP Web to Defund ACORN

Republicans intent on cutting off the community organization ACORN from the federal trough may have inadvertently alienated defense contractors.

The defense industry is a long-time ally of Republicans. Last week, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) crafted a parliamentary maneuver to strip ACORN from any federal funds. Surprisingly, Democrats went along with the effort, okaying Issa’s motion 345-75.

But the anti-ACORN provision was written so broadly that it could potentially not only strip ACORN of federal dollars, but also pummel defense contractors. The motion applies to “any organization that has been indicted for a violation of any Federal or State law” when it comes to lobbying or campaign finances. It also excludes “any organization that has filed a fraudulent form with any Federal or State regulatory agency.”

For instance, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin are among a host of defense contractors enduring fraud cases.

But a spokesman for Issa argued in favor of the House’s decision.

“Obviously there are a lot of interpretations out there. And lot of mis-intereptations,” said Issa spokesman Kurt Bardella. “But you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who would defend the mis-use of taxpayer dollars.”

Bardella added that there were “some very high thresholds that must be met to be impacted by the motion to recommit.”

Issa attached the motion to a bill that enhanced access to student loans for college.

ACORN’s under investigation for election fraud. The Census Bureau just cut its ties with ACORN last week. It’s believed ACORN has received $54 million from the federal government over the past 15 years.