Overview
- Sen. Ted Cruz led a Judiciary subcommittee session where Republicans accused Minnesota leaders of ignoring fraud while Democrats highlighted ICE conduct in the state and criticized Trump-era policies.
- Cruz cited federal prosecutors who estimate that half or more of $18 billion spent since 2018 across 14 Minnesota programs may have been lost to fraud.
- Other witnesses advanced higher totals—from a $9 billion red‑flags estimate to claims of $30 billion to $80 billion—prompting objections that the numbers are not supported by evidence.
- Assertions that stolen welfare funds enriched Somalia’s Al‑Shabaab were raised at the hearing, but a former assistant U.S. attorney said investigators have seen no indication of terrorist financing.
- Witnesses and lawmakers called for stricter documentation and audits of welfare payments, and Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison declined the Senate invitation but agreed to appear before House Oversight on March 4.