Kennedy, Cornyn, colleagues introduce Stop Fraud by SOMALIA Act to crack down on Minnesota-style daycare fraud

WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today joined Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) in introducing the Stop Fraud by Strengthening Oversight and More Accountability for Lying and Illegal Activity (Stop Fraud by SOMALIA) Act, which would strengthen federal oversight of child care assistance programs and punish fraudsters.

"Americans are the most generous people in the world. That's why I was so disgusted when I saw scammers, mostly members of Minnesota's Somali community, take advantage of the American people's kindness and rob them blind under the guise of 'child care.' I'm proud to support the Stop Fraud by SOMALIA Act, which will crack down on these vile crimes and tackle fraud head-on," said Kennedy.

The Minnesota scandal has exposed a deep-rooted, morally bankrupt fraud empire, and it is clear more must be done to rid our nation of these heinous criminals. I applaud President Trump for his efforts to end this corruption, and I'm proud to take it a step further with the Stop Fraud by SOMALIA Act, which would ensure these consequences are enshrined into law before any more funds are misused or sent overseas to fund American-hating terrorist networks like we saw in now-disgraced Governor Walz's state," said Cornyn.

"Families deserve to know what their taxpayer dollars are being used for. What we've seen in Minnesota, where federal dollars meant to support children are being fraudulently used, is outrageous and those at fault must be held responsible. The Stop Fraud by SOMALIA Act delivers accountability by permanently barring bad actors who steal public funds from receiving federal support and by strengthening oversight to ensure these programs serve children, not criminals. I'll keep fighting to protect hardworking families and safeguard taxpayer dollars," said Scott

"Taxpayer-funded, Somalian-run 'child care centers' in Minnesota are one of the biggest scandals in American taxpayer history. Governor Tim Walz is 100% responsible for this disaster. He welcomed Somalian illegals to Minnesota, handed them billions in taxpayer dollars, and then refused to ask basic questions about where the money was going. It's beyond embarrassing and should NEVER be allowed to happen in this country. Congress needs to pass the SOMALIA Act to ensure this is the last time taxpayers have to foot the bill for illegal operations like we have seen in Minnesota," said Tuberville.

The Stop Fraud by SOMALIA Act would:

• Permanently bar child care providers found to have committed fraud from participating in all federally funded child care assistance programs.

• Require repayment of fraudulently obtained funds and authorize recoupment and disqualification from future assistance.

• Require states to deny funding to permanently debarred providers and reimburse the federal government for misspent funds.

• Mandate referral to the Department of Justice for federal criminal investigation when providers are found to have committed fraud.

The bill also adds immigration consequences for non-citizen child care providers who commit fraud or engage in terrorism-related activity by:

• Making permanently debarred providers inadmissible and deportable.

• Barring them from asylum, adjustment of status, and other immigration benefits.

• Requiring mandatory detention and authorizing expedited removal in certain cases.

• Expanding terrorism-related inadmissibility if fraudulently-obtained child care funds were used to support terrorist organizations, including al-Shabaab.

Background:

• In December 2025 and January 2026, Kennedy took to the U.S. Senate floor to expose "industrial-scale" welfare fraud in Minnesota and call for a reconciliation bill to combat the theft of taxpayer money.

• Kennedy urged the prosecution of any officials or politicians in Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's administration who enabled fraud, and demanded that Republican leadership "get the pigs out of the creek" through a reconciliation bill that "lead[s] with welfare reform."

Full text of the Stop Fraud by SOMALIA Act is available here.