With pressure mounting on Minnesota officials over accusations of widespread fraud involving Somali-run daycares and other government programs, U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) is stressing the need for accountability in state spending of federal funds.
Last week, independent journalist Nick Shirley posted a video online of him confronting several Somali daycares in Minnesota, alleging that they had defrauded the government of millions by accepting funds to run empty daycares. Shirley's video gained millions of views and prompted the Trump administration to halt childcare payments to the state, pending an investigation, CNN reported.
“Programs like these are largely administered at the state level, so it’s ultimately the responsibility of state officials to ensure taxpayer dollars are being handled properly and above board,” Aderholt told 1819 News. “That’s why situations like what we’ve seen in Minnesota are so troubling.”
Aderholt emphasized his support for states’ rights, but said there still needed to be “accountability.”
“At the same time, it may be time to take a more comprehensive look at how states are spending federal dollars to ensure these programs are operating as intended and that proper safeguards are in place,” he said.
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