Something happened in the Minnesota state capitol on Wednesday that deserves far more attention than it’s receiving.

Republicans sought to hold Governor Tim Walz accountable for one of the biggest government fraud scandals in state history, but every single Democrat voted to shut down the effort.

The scandal involves alleged thefts of nearly $9 billion from programs designed to feed children, support families with autistic children, and provide housing assistance for low-income Americans. The House Oversight Committee conducted hearings on the matter, with whistleblowers testifying about the fraud. On Wednesday, Minnesota Democrats made it clear they would rather bury the issue than address it.

A 53-page report from a committee that spent months examining the case concluded Governor Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison allegedly knew about the fraud as far back as spring 2019 — years before publicly acknowledging it. During that time, billions were reportedly stolen while those who tried to speak up faced retaliation.

Chairman James Comer of the House Oversight Committee stated: “While Governor Walz hesitated, taxpayers lost billions,” and noted officials “chose delay and denial over action.” He also indicated they spoke with “over thirty whistleblowers” who reported being “ignored, retaliated against, and even surveilled.”

The vote on Wednesday was part of an effort by Republicans to force accountability in the Legislature. A resolution filed by Republicans would have tasked a House committee with investigating the fraud and returning findings by May 1. However, the Minnesota House Rules Committee voted 8-8 — with every Democrat casting a “no” vote — and the resolution died immediately.

Representative Ben Davis argued that the state had “a historic amount of fraud taking place” and called for “accountability and transparency.” Democrats characterized the effort as a political distraction, with Representative Michael Howard stating it was “a fundamentally unserious proposal by a fundamentally unserious party” focused on “grievance politics” rather than addressing economic challenges families face.

Minnesota Democrats have now voted to protect a record of whistleblowers being ignored, retaliated against, and surveilled. The investigation continues, and every Democrat who cast a “no” vote has effectively handed Republicans a clear contrast heading into the midterms.