Minnesota House Panel Deadlocks on Impeachment Investigation into Gov. Walz, AG Ellison
An 8-8 party-line vote in the Minnesota House Rules Committee has blocked a Republican-led resolution to launch an impeachment investigation into Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison over alleged fraud in state social services programs.
Committee Vote Details
On Thursday, the Minnesota House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee considered a Republican-sponsored resolution that would have authorized the committee to hold hearings, issue subpoenas, and investigate allegations of fraud in state programs.
The vote resulted in an 8-8 deadlock, with all eight Democratic committee members voting against the measure and all eight Republicans voting in favor. The resolution was therefore blocked from advancing.
Scope of Alleged Fraud
The proposed investigation relates to allegations of fraud within Minnesota's social services programs. Some reports estimate the alleged fraud may have cost taxpayers up to $19 billion.
- Specific allegations include potential losses of $9 billion across 14 Medicaid programs since 2018, according to a federal prosecutor's estimate cited by multiple sources.
- State officials have disputed these figures.
- The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families has confirmed 55 open investigations statewide involving providers receiving Child Care Assistance Program funding.
Background
Governor Walz ended his re-election campaign in January amid increasing scrutiny over fraud allegations. He and Attorney General Ellison subsequently testified before Congress regarding the matter.
Republican lawmakers in Minnesota have previously called for Walz's resignation and pursued various actions to investigate or impeach him. Walz has declined to resign.
Previous Congressional Hearings
The House Oversight Committee held a hearing on Wednesday regarding alleged welfare fraud in Minnesota, where Walz and Ellison provided testimony.
A report released by the Republican-led committee alleged that both officials had knowledge of credible fraud concerns years prior but failed to act. The committee's interim staff report claimed that Walz and Ellison were aware of credible fraud concerns as early as 2019 within the Minnesota Department of Human Services, and by April 2020 at the Minnesota Department of Education.
"The report claimed that state agencies had legal authority to suspend or terminate payments to providers suspected of fraud but continued funding due to concerns over litigation threats and perceptions of racism."
Ellison stated during the hearing that his office actively prosecutes Medicaid fraud, securing millions in restitution and convictions, but claimed that Trump administration actions—including redirecting FBI agents and prompting prosecutor resignations—have hindered these efforts.
Walz responded that whistleblower retaliation is unacceptable and that Minnesota has strong protections in place.
Federal Investigations
Federal agencies have conducted multiple searches in Minnesota related to fraud investigations. The FBI and Department of Homeland Security Investigations executed 22 court-approved search warrants in the Twin Cities.
- Searches targeted childcare centers and other locations.
- Agents were observed at childcare centers in the Minneapolis area; one crew reportedly used a battering ram.
- The searches followed a video by a conservative content creator alleging that members of Minnesota's Somali community operated fake childcare centers to collect federal subsidies.
- Investigators from the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families subsequently visited the centers featured in the video and reported that all were operating as expected.
Previous Fraud Cases
Minnesota has a history of fraud investigations. In 2022, federal prosecutors charged dozens of individuals, many of Somali descent, in connection with Feeding Our Future, a nonprofit accused of falsely claiming to provide meals to children during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- At least 65 people have been convicted in that case, with 78 defendants charged overall.
- Prosecutors have described it as the largest pandemic relief fraud scheme charged to date.
The Trump administration announced it is withholding over $250 million in Medicaid funds from Minnesota, citing widespread fraud. The state has initiated a lawsuit against this action, deeming it unlawful. A federal judge declined to grant a temporary restraining order on April 6.
Statements from Lawmakers
- Rep. Michael Howard (DFL): Described the resolution as "a fundamentally unserious proposal by a fundamentally unserious party who isn't interested in governing."
- Rep. Kristin Robbins (R), Chair of the House Fraud Committee: Posted on social media that "Democrats CONTINUE to block any investigation of Tim Walz" despite "years of whistleblower reports, dozens of hearings & local news stories, & court convictions."
Legislative and Political Context
Impeaching a state official in Minnesota requires a simple majority vote in the House of Representatives. The Minnesota House is currently evenly split between parties, with 67 Democrats and 67 Republicans.
Removing an official from office requires a two-thirds supermajority vote in the Minnesota Senate, where the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party holds a one-seat majority (34-33).
These conditions make impeachment or removal likely unattainable without significant bipartisan support.