U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) and several Republican senators have called for accountability from outgoing Minnesota Governor Tim Walz following reports of fraud and abuse involving federal child care funding in Minnesota.
In a letter to Governor Walz, the senators wrote, “We write to express serious concern regarding recent reports and federal investigations alleging widespread fraud and misuse of federal funds within Minnesota’s state-administered child care assistance programs. The state’s apparent negligent management of federal funds raises significant concerns about the adequacy of the state’s oversight, verification, and compliance systems for safeguarding taxpayer dollars intended to support vulnerable children and working families. Unfortunately, these latest reports appear to reflect only the tip of the iceberg.”
The call for accountability follows actions by the Trump administration, which has suspended child care funding to Minnesota and other states until audits are completed to determine how funds were used. There is an ongoing federal investigation into large-scale fraud in Minnesota’s social services programs.
Federal prosecutors are investigating what they describe as large-scale fraud in several social service programs in Minnesota. Authorities estimate that billions in federal funds across programs such as child care, nutrition, Medicaid, and housing assistance may have been misappropriated since 2018. One cited case is the “Feeding Our Future” scheme, where more than 50 people were convicted for diverting hundreds of millions of dollars in pandemic relief funds meant for school meals.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), under President Trump’s leadership, has frozen payments pending further verification and audits. The senators emphasized Congress’ responsibility over government spending: “The Constitution grants Congress the power of the purse, and the Senate is exercising its role to ensure proper stewardship of federal taxpayer dollars for child care programs, and we take this responsibility very seriously.”
They requested that Governor Walz provide detailed answers by January 22, 2026 regarding why certain recommendations from previous oversight efforts remain unadopted.
Senator Young represents Indiana in the U.S. Senate with a focus on finance, commerce, science, transportation, small business, entrepreneurship and intelligence committees. He has championed legislation supporting U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and addresses issues including national security and economic development (official website). He also works on affordable housing initiatives and veterans’ support (official website).
Other signatories include Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Thune (R-S.D.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Roger Marshall M.D. (R-Kan.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Marsha Blackburn(R-Tenn.), Rick Scott(R-Fla.) John Cornyn(R-Texas), Mike Rounds(R-S.D.) Tim Sheehy(R-Mont.) Jon Husted(R-Ohio) Thom Tillis(R-N.C.) John Hoeven(R-N.D.) Bill Hagerty(R-Tenn.) Lisa Murkowski(R-Alaska) Cindy Hyde-Smith(R-Miss.) Dan Sullivan(R-Alaska) Josh Hawley(R-Mo.) Jim Justice(R-W.Va.) Steve Daines(R-Mont.) Ron Johnson(R-Wis.) Jerry Moran(R-Kan.) John Curtis(R-Utah) Dave McCormick(R-Pa.) Mitch McConnell(R-Ky.) Roger Wicker(R-Miss.) John Boozman(R-Ark.) Chuck Grassley(Iowa).
The letter concluded by asking why recommendations from oversight authorities had not been fully adopted by Minnesota as of late 2025.