U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, has increased pressure on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s administration over its refusal to provide documents requested by Congress as part of an investigation into alleged child care fraud in Minnesota.
Cassidy criticized the Walz administration for withholding essential records related to federally subsidized child care services. He stated that if the administration does not comply with the investigation, he will use his authority as committee chairman to obtain answers.
“Child care fraud is out of control. Criminals are ripping off taxpayers and stealing critical resources from children in need,” said Dr. Cassidy. “The American people deserve answers. Tim Walz will not escape accountability from this Committee.”
This week, Cassidy led a hearing focused on fraud in child care programs both in Minnesota and nationwide. He also announced the creation of a HELP Committee task force dedicated to addressing waste, fraud, and abuse throughout the federal government.
In a letter addressed to Commissioner Brown, Cassidy outlined concerns regarding responses from the Walz administration that he said failed to address key questions about suspected widespread fraud in Minnesota’s child care programs. He cited specific legal statutes which he argues allow for disclosure of certain data to federal investigators.
As chairman of the HELP Committee—a Senate body responsible for legislation and oversight on public health, education, labor issues, and retirement programs—Cassidy reiterated his request for detailed documentation concerning all providers receiving federal child care funds from Minnesota since January 1, 2018. The requested information includes attendance records, licenses, inspection reports, complaints, investigations, and audit findings.
Cassidy also asked for data on the number of child care centers operating in Minnesota since 2018; details about site visits by state inspectors; funding information for high-funded centers; enforcement actions taken against providers; criteria used for disqualification due to suspected fraud; results from unannounced inspections; breakdowns of investigations opened; referrals made to law enforcement agencies; audit reports conducted since 2018; assessments on legislative changes affecting oversight; penalties issued for non-compliance or criminal charges; error rates identified in audits; trends revealed by risk management systems; outcomes from follow-up investigations into overpayments; and recovery amounts following suspicious billing activities.
He requested that all documents be provided unredacted by February 27, 2026. Cassidy warned that if sufficient answers are not given by then, the committee will seek alternative means to secure cooperation.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee is tasked with legislating on public health and workforce issues while providing oversight of federal laws and agencies related to these areas (source). In the current Congress, Bill Cassidy serves as chair (source). The committee plays a significant role in shaping regulations affecting health and education across the United States (source), oversees key policy decisions (source), and supervises agencies such as the FDA and NIH (source).
For further updates from HELP Republicans visit their website or Twitter at @GOPHELP.
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