House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, is publicly urging Minnesota’s Democratic Governor Tim Walz to attend a congressional hearing focused on alleged fraud within the state’s Medicaid and social services programs. The hearing is scheduled for March 2024, and Comer has indicated that a failure to participate would be seen as an “admission of guilt” by both Walz and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.
Comer stated, “We’ve asked not only Gov. Walz, but also Attorney General Ellison, both of whom were in Congress, who I served with in Congress, so they know the rules of Congress. They know how serious this is. This has gotten the attention of the national public.” His comments underscore the gravity with which Congress is approaching the allegations of widespread fraud.
The upcoming hearing follows a viral video produced by YouTuber Nick Shirley, which claims that several daycares in the Twin Cities area may be fronts for defrauding the Minnesota government of tens of millions of dollars. In the video, Shirley encounters difficulties accessing these facilities, as many operators—predominantly of Somali descent—either refuse entry or have closed down.
Comer expressed concern over reports that some daycares are changing their names and experiencing unexplained incidents, such as break-ins and missing files. “We’re getting reports that many of these daycares are changing their names, and they’re having break-ins and mysteriously losing their files and everything else,” Comer noted, emphasizing the need for accountability.
The allegations have attracted the attention of the Trump administration, prompting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to pause all childcare payments to Minnesota. Additionally, Homeland Security Investigations has been deployed to the state to assist in the inquiry.
Recent investigations have revealed alarming figures regarding fraud within Minnesota’s social services programs. Prior to Shirley’s video, the U.S. Department of Justice disclosed that its investigation into the state’s Medicaid program identified a suspected $9 billion in fraudulent payments dating back to 2018.
In response to these developments, Walz announced a third-party audit of Medicaid billing through the state’s Department of Human Services. The governor has also publicly acknowledged his responsibility in addressing the systemic fraud affecting the state.
On March 4, 2024, Walz declared he would not seek re-election, stating, “Minnesota has to come first—always.” He expressed pride in the achievements during his tenure, emphasizing his commitment to focusing on state issues rather than electoral politics.
The upcoming congressional hearing is set to highlight the significant challenges facing Minnesota’s social services and the ongoing efforts to ensure accountability in the system. As both state officials and Congress prepare for the discussion, the implications of these fraud allegations continue to resonate throughout the region.
