As the full scope of fraud continues to come to light in Minnesota, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) is working with GOP colleagues to launch a new task force aimed at rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in taxpayer-funded programs.

The new watchdog group is being formed as further discoveries are being made in Minnesota over widespread fraud in its child-care subsidy system.

The task force will focus on three areas under the committee’s jurisdiction: health care, education, and labor and pensions. Tuberville will co-lead the subcommittee examining education-related programs alongside U.S. Sen. John Husted of Ohio.

“A little more than a year ago, the American people overwhelmingly voted for President Trump’s agenda to cut out waste, fraud, and abuse from our government,” Tuberville said.

“After losing more than 19 BILLION American taxpayer dollars under Tim Walz’s watch to fake Somalian daycares, it’s evident that there’s still work to be done. We must aggressively tackle this issue from all sides to ensure corrupt politicians never misuse Americans’ hard-earned taxpayer dollars again. As Chairman of the HELP Subcommittee on Children and the American Family, I’m proud to co-lead this task force alongside Sen. Husted to make sure every cent allocated for American education reaches its intended purpose.”

The HELP Committee has also launched an online portal for Americans to report fraud involving taxpayer dollars.

Tuberville has also introduced legislation aimed at cracking down on fraud in federal child care programs. He recently joined Sens. John Cornyn of Texas, John Kennedy of Louisiana, and Rick Scott of Florida to introduce the Stop Fraud by Strengthening Oversight and More Accountability for Lying and Illegal Activity (Stop Fraud by SOMALIA) Act.

“Taxpayer-funded, Somalian-run ‘child care centers’ in Minnesota are one of the biggest scandals in American taxpayer history,” Tuberville said.

“Governor Tim Walz is 100% responsible for this disaster. He welcomed Somalian illegals to Minnesota, handed them billions in taxpayer dollars, and then refused to ask basic questions about where the money was going. It’s beyond embarrassing and should NEVER be allowed to happen in this country. Congress needs to pass the Stop Fraud by SOMALIA Act to ensure this is the last time taxpayers have to foot the bill for illegal operations like we have seen in Minnesota.”

The legislation would amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act to impose strict penalties on child care providers who commit fraud, including mandatory permanent debarment from federal child care assistance programs, repayment of misspent funds, and required referrals for federal criminal investigations. The bill would also require states to enforce these bans and prevent providers from evading penalties through restructuring or name changes.

 Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.  You may contact her at [email protected].