Rep. Tom Emmer on Government Shutdown, SCAM Act, and Minnesota Fraud Investigations

Government Funding and Shutdowns

• 🎯 Republicans have passed all 12 spending bills in the House, while the Senate, with Democrat and White House agreement, passed 11.
• ⚠️ A two-week continuing resolution (CR) for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is causing a partial government shutdown, with Democrats reportedly refusing to help pass the bill due to a razor-thin House majority.
• 💡 Congressman Emmer criticizes the obstruction, highlighting that ICE is already funded through 2029 with a $30 billion bill, and questions the Democrats' focus on issues like unaccompanied minor children funding.
• 🏛️ The House is expected to vote on a rule for the funding package tomorrow morning, followed by a vote on the package itself later in the day.

SCAM Act and Citizenship

• 🔑 Emmer introduced the Stop Citizenship Abuse and Misrepresentation Act (SCAM Act), aiming to revoke naturalized citizenship for those convicted of fraud within 10 years of becoming a citizen.
• ⚖️ The act expands on current law, proposing denaturalization for espionage, aggravated felonies, or working with foreign terrorist groups, arguing such individuals do not appreciate the citizenship opportunity.

Minnesota Fraud Investigations

• 🔍 Emmer questions Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison regarding an estimated $9 billion in fraud over the past nine years.
• 💰 He specifically points to the "Feeding Our Future" case, the largest pandemic fraud case in the country, with 96 indictments and 60 convictions, primarily from the Somali community.
• 💡 Emmer contrasts this with findings from Nick Shirley, who reportedly uncovered significant fraud at a learning center in a matter of hours, suggesting a lack of diligence from Walz and Ellison.
• 🗣️ The governor and AG are scheduled to testify before the House Oversight Committee on March 4th as part of an investigation into Minnesota welfare fraud.