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It’s time for answers. On Wednesday, I issued a subpoena to Governor Tim Walz’s administration to hold it accountable in what has been called the “largest COVID-19 fraud scheme in the nation.” I also issued subpoenas to the Biden-Harris administration’s U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its Office of Inspector General (OIG). What I’m about to share with you is truly jarring. Buckle up.
In 2022, a U.S. attorney charged 70 individuals associated with Minnesota-based Feeding Our Future (FOF) for their alleged roles in defrauding the USDA of over $250 million in taxpayer funds—money intended to feed hungry children. To date, five individuals have been convicted of fraud that the assistant U.S. attorney on the case called “not just criminal, [but] depraved and brazen.” Charges include federal programs bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering. These charges allege that individuals, including FOF’s leader, conspired to fraudulently claim $250 million in federal meals funds that were allegedly spent instead on:
- Luxury vehicles.
- Real estate.
- Other unlawful purchases.
While dozens are still awaiting trial, questions remain regarding the role of the Minnesota Department of Education’s (MDE) administration of the Federal Child Nutrition Programs and its oversight of FOF. After MDE, under Governor Walz, failed to respond to previous attempts by the Committee to garner information necessary to uncover how the Governor and the USDA allowed such fraud to occur, the Committee has proceeded with a subpoena to compel responses. How much did Governor Walz know about the fraud that occurred under his administration? What information is being hidden from hardworking taxpayers?
We intend to have these questions answered in full – the American people deserve to know the truth. Accountability is here, and I can assure you that our efforts to uphold it will continue. Anything less is unacceptable. To read the full subpoenas that I’ve issued, click here.
Service Academy Day
On October 5th, I will be holding a U.S. Service Academy Day from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Wilkes Community College in Room 1112 of Window World Hall. Representatives from all five U.S. Service Academies will be on hand to answer questions and provide information on their respective application processes. This event is open to all students, parents, counselors, and educators in North Carolina’s 5th District. To aid in seating logistics, please RSVP by October 2nd by emailing Cindy Thompson at [email protected]. For questions about the U.S. Service Academy Day, please call 202-960-5091
Information about obtaining a nomination to a U.S. Service Academy is also available here.
My Latest Interview
This week, I joined former Representative Jody Hice for a back-to-school edition of Washington Watch. In our interview, I discussed the Committee on Education and the Workforce’s ongoing work to protect Jewish students, faculty, and staff at campuses across the nation and our efforts to spotlight – and hold accountable – those who are complicit in the rampant antisemitism that has engulfed college campuses. We also discussed President Biden’s disastrous Title IX rewrite – a terrible policy that will set women back 50 years, and one that would alienate every young woman in America.
To watch the full interview, click here.
Quote of The Week
“Be like the cliff against which the waves continually break; but it stands firm and tames the fury of the water around it.”
-Marcus Aurelius
Have a blessed weekend,
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