Conyers may seek hearings on ACORN

Mr. Conyers' continued commitment to hearings bristles Capitol Hill Democrats because it threatens to rekindle criticism of the financial ties and close cooperation between President Obama's campaign and ACORN and its sister organizations Citizens Services Inc. and Project Vote.

The groups came under fire during the campaign after probes into suspected voter fraud in a series of presidential battleground states, including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Mexico and Nevada.

 Rep. Jerrold Nadler, New York Democrat and chairman of the Judiciary subcommittee with the jurisdiction to conduct the hearing, said he does not think Congress is the place to hear criminal charges.

"It's not our business to say ACORN is terrible or ACORN is wonderful. That's not a congressional job," Mr. Nadler said. "The evidence - I've listened to it - I think most of it is nonsense. If it's true, it's a law enforcement matter."

However, he said he would bow to Mr. Conyers' request for a hearing. Mr. Conyers said he hasn't "pushed him yet."

ACORN officials, who have consistently denied any wrongdoing, said they welcomed a congressional probe.

"We are confident that in any setting where the facts are laid bare that the right-wing campaign to smear ACORN's good work will be exposed," ACORN spokesman Brian Kettenring said.