Minn. Rep. Seeks Federal Aid After Omar Subpoena Blocked

Minnesota state Rep. Kristin Robbins, chair of the House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee, requested assistance from federal congressional leaders on Friday after Democrats blocked a subpoena for records from U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar related to the Feeding Our Future fraud case. The vote took place during the committee's meeting on Tuesday in St. Paul.

The committee, composed of five Republicans and three Democrats, voted 5-3 along party lines to authorize the subpoena. The measure required a two-thirds majority, or six votes, to pass. Republicans sought communications from Omar's office, including emails, texts, and records tied to federal child nutrition programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal prosecutors have described Feeding Our Future as one of the largest pandemic-era fraud schemes, in which more than $250 million intended for child meals was allegedly obtained through fake reimbursements. Dozens of individuals, including nonprofit executive director Aimee Bock, have been charged or convicted.

The panel's interest stems from trial exhibits in the federal case U.S. v. Bock, which referenced communications involving Omar's staff and Bock or related...