Senate Republicans eye reconciliation to address Minnesota fraud scandal
Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., signaled readiness for reconciliation as Republicans explore legislative response to Minnesota fraud investigation findings.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Senate Republicans have been mulling whether to again use a powerful yet divisive legislative process, and tackling the unfolding Minnesota fraud scandal could be at the top of the list.
Congressional Republicans last year used the budget reconciliation process to ram through President Donald Trump's crowning legislative achievement of his term so far, his "one, big beautiful bill."
The GOP is considering taking another stab at the process, which would allow them to pass partisan legislation without Democratic votes in the Senate. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said that one option could be dealing with the alleged fraud in Minnesota.
SENATE REPUBLICANS PUSH TO DEPORT, DENATURALIZE FRAUDSTERS AMID MINNESOTA SCANDAL
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., suggested that Republicans could tackle the Minnesota fraud scandal through budget reconciliation. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
"I think that one of the issues that's been raised is this issue of waste, fraud and abuse coming out of the investigation in Minnesota, and whether there might be, you know, some bill that we could do that addresses that issue," Thune said when asked if Republicans would go through the reconciliation process once more.
"But I think there are, you know, a number of candidates for consideration," he continued. "I always think the best solution, if possible, is to try and do things through regular order."
The situation in Minnesota has become a hot topic on Capitol Hill since lawmakers returned for the new year and the start of a new legislative session this week.
JAMES COMER TO ACCUSE TIM WALZ OF BEING 'ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL' AT FRAUD HEARING
President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., on Jan. 3, 2026. (Nicole Combeau/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Federal prosecutors estimate that up to $9 billion in taxpayer money was stolen through a network of fraudulent fronts posing as daycare centers, food programs and health clinics, among others.
