Just in time for Christmas, ACORN, “the anti-poverty group” as The New York Times calls them, will be paid for “services provided”:
The Justice Department has concluded that the Obama administration can lawfully pay the community group Acorn for services provided under contracts signed before Congress banned the government from providing money to the group.
The department’s conclusion, laid out in a recently disclosed five-page memorandum from David Barron, the acting assistant attorney general for the Office of Legal Counsel, adds a new wrinkle to a sharp political debate over the antipoverty group’s activities and recent efforts to distance the government from it.
If you read the memorandum and need a little help with the legalese, Plubius at Big Government can help with that:
It should be noted that the ACORN funding ban is included within the current Continuing Resolution, a legislative vehicle to fund government operations until a full budget is enacted. Without the CR, no federal funds could be expended by any agency. Under the current CR, ACORN is prohibited from receiving federal funds. Justice is arguing that some existing contracts entered into the executive branch officials–which haven’t been disclosed to the public–supercede the Congressional legislation. But only Congress can dictate how funds are spent.
The ruling seems to be an interpretation in search of a loophole. Worse, it seems the Justice Department is trying to find a way to allow ACORN to continue receiving government funds, rather than a dispassionate analysis of the funding ban passed by Congress.
Not surprising at all, considering.
So I guess ACORN WILL be gettin’ sumpin’ for Christmas, even though they’ve been nothing but baaaad.
Hat tip: Gateway Pundit.
November, 28, 2009 at 2:17 am
If the government doesn’t pay Acorn’s bills, who’s going to help our pimps and hoes get the much needed help they so richly deserve. Don’t be a hater Deb.
November, 28, 2009 at 2:21 am
[...] me of follow-up comments via email. « Happy Thanksgiving Spigot Of Federal Dollars To ACORN To Be Turned Back On Courtesy Of Obama Justice Dept » Blog at WordPress.com. • Theme: Garland by Steven Wittens and Stefan [...]
November, 28, 2009 at 7:29 am
Honestly ..if we thought things were bad in past years…we really saw nothing. This administration is the most corrupt in your face group of A…holes in our lifetime. Between Acorn and the illegals we should have no more rights.
November, 28, 2009 at 12:03 pm
And is anyone surprised?
November, 28, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Justice is arguing that some existing contracts entered into the executive branch officials–which haven’t been disclosed to the public–supercede the Congressional legislation. But only Congress can dictate how funds are spent.
Sounds to me like the ‘Constitutional Scholar’ in the Oval Office, and the Chief Legal Beagle need refresher courses in the separation of powers.
And what, praytell, is the Executive Branch making contracts with ACORN for? That sounds like a very good story for a report to follow up on. Too bad we don’t have any in this country anymore.
November, 28, 2009 at 1:23 pm
And why does a “community” organization need federal dollars?
November, 28, 2009 at 1:36 pm
I’d like to know more about those “existing contracts” with the executive branch.
November, 28, 2009 at 2:13 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Debbie Myatt and Nice Deb, susan rector. susan rector said: RT @NiceDeb: Spigot Of Federal Dollars To #ACORN To Be Turned Back On Courtesy Of Obama Justice Dept http://bit.ly/5F8iSo #tcot [...]
December, 1, 2009 at 12:04 am
[...] evidence that they tried to hide from the feds, the Obama Justice Department has decided that ACORN is still entitled to our money. And why not? Obama and ACORN are joined at the [...]
December, 7, 2009 at 11:42 am
[...] Congress cut off federal funding to ACORN, the Obama Justice Dept recently concluded that the government should pay for ACORN contracts (with the executive branch!) that were in place before Congress passed the [...]