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INTERMEDIATE: House Republicans’ investigation into fraud within Minnesota’s welfare programs may expand, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., told Fox News Digital.
“We need to know how deep this fraud in taxpayer-funded programs is, not just in Minnesota, but across the country. The House Oversight Committee will expand its investigation to other states, because waste, fraud, and abuse cannot be tolerated anywhere,” said Comer on Tuesday.
The House Oversight Committee is investigating allegations that federal and state funds were misused in Minnesota, an investigation that is putting top officials in state government under scrutiny.
It has also proven to be a powerful political tool for Republicans against progressive leaders like Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and state Attorney General Keith Ellison.
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The Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, Rep. James Comer said his investigation into fraud in Minnesota by Gov. Tim Walz will expand to other states. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images; Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images)
Both were summoned to Capitol Hill by Comer, who is holding two high-profile hearings in the coming weeks as the federal government investigates allegations of fraud.
The first such event, which takes place on Wednesday, will include testimony from three Republicans in the state legislature. Walz and Ellison were summoned for a follow-up hearing on Feb. 10.
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Comer said he will use the investigation “as a plan to increase oversight and pursue accountability in other states”.
It comes after Walz announced he would withdraw his bid for a third term as Governor on Monday, citing the intensity of the fraud investigation.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison speaks on stage during the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Aug. 21, 2024, in Chicago. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
“Every minute I spend protecting my political interests is a minute I won’t spend protecting Minnesotans from criminals who prey on our generosity, and critics who want to hijack our arguments,” Walz said.
Walz previously said his administration had taken steps to end the fraud, but argued with government officials that they were overreaching and politicizing the extent of the damage.
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But Comer said Walz “still needs to testify under oath about what he knew, and when he knew it, about this serious crime and money laundering.”
“We need to know how deep this fraud in taxpayer-funded programs is, not only in Minnesota, but across the country,” he said.
A general view of downtown Minneapolis on Dec. 4, 2025. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
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Federal prosecutors in Minnesota have charged multiple people stealing more than $240 million from the Federal Child Nutrition Program through a nonprofit organization in Minnesota Feeding Our Future.
However, the investigation has expanded to several government programs being investigated for possible fraud.
Child care providers who receive government funding, especially in the Somali community, are also under scrutiny.
