Minnesota Governor Tim Walz received a subpoena from the House Education Committee on Wednesday as part of a Republican-led investigation into the Democratic presidential ticket, focusing on a subject that has always been a challenge for Walz: child nutrition programs.

Walz, who is running alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, has concentrated on making Minnesota an excellent place for families, including the introduction of universal meals in schools. However, his administration’s involvement in a fraud case concerning child support programs is now facing scrutiny.

A non-profit organization based in Minnesota, Feeding Our Future, is alleged to have misappropriated $250 million from a COVID-19 relief fund meant for feeding children who are in need.

Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., stated in her letter that they are investigating Walz’s management of the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), which is responsible for the federal child nutrition program.

“As the chief executive and highest-ranking official in Minnesota, you are accountable for the MDE and its handling of federal child nutrition programs,” Foxx emphasized.

Agriculture Inspector General Phyllis Fong, Commissioner of Education Willie Jett, and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack were also subpoenaed.

NBC News was the first to report on these subpoenas.

Shifting Focus to Subpoenas

Leadership in the House GOP is redirecting their attention from former President Joe Biden, who exited the ticket back in July, to focus on Harris and other emerging Democratic candidates.

Earlier this month, the House Oversight Committee initiated an inquiry into Walz’s connections with China. During his time as a geography teacher, Walz taught in the region and organized annual trips from his high school to China.

The committee is also investigating Harris’s role regarding the surge in migrants at the southern border.

Additionally, the House Armed Services subcommittee is scrutinizing Walz for inaccuracies related to his service in the U.S. Army National Guard.

Fraud in Feeding Our Future

Walz has openly addressed what has become the largest pandemic relief fraud in the country, which occurred during his oversight.

At a press conference in August, just before being chosen as Harris’s running mate, Walz acknowledged the shortcomings in his administration’s fraud prevention measures and referred to a severe legislative audit that criticized the MDE’s oversight as “insufficient.”

“If you commit fraud in Minnesota, you will be caught and face imprisonment,” Walz stated. He highlighted administrative reforms and safeguards to avert future fraud, including the appointment of an inspector general for the MDE.

The federal government has charged over 70 individuals in connection with this fraud case, with five already convicted and the others still awaiting trial.

Feeding Our Future was involved with the child nutrition program, which was established to support hungry children during the pandemic as schools and childcare centers closed. Prosecutors claim that Feeding Our Future submitted fraudulent names of children to the Department of Education to secure funding.

Walz and other subpoenaed officials must provide the requested documents by September 18.