WATCH: Brandon Gill Makes Dem Witness Melt Down With Proof That Somalis Are Ripping Off US Taxpayers

Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, came out swinging at a House Oversight Committee hearing Wednesday, drilling witnesses over the Somali community’s role in what investigators say is sweeping fraud tied to Minnesota’s public assistance programs.

Gill zeroed in on welfare dependency statistics during an exchange with Brendan Ballou, a former federal prosecutor testifying as a Democratic witness.

“Do you know what percentage of Somali-headed households in Minnesota are on food stamps? 54%,” Gill said.

He followed up immediately.

“Do you know what that number is for native Minnesota-headed households?”

Ballou began to answer before Gill cut in.

“It’s 7%,” Gill said. “There’s a big difference between 54% and 7%, no?”

Ballou pushed back, objecting to Gill’s framing.

“You’re using the phrase ‘native Minnesotans’, the majority of Somali Minnesotans are as Minnesotan as any of us. They were born in the United States,” Ballou said, adding that the figures could overlap.

Gill wasn’t done.

“What percentage of Somali-headed households are on welfare in general? It’s 81%,” Gill said. “After ten years of being in the United States, what percentage of Somali immigrant households continue to be on welfare? The number is 78%.”

The exchange came as Republicans intensify scrutiny of Minnesota after investigators uncovered what they describe as a web of fraud schemes involving daycare centers, food programs, health clinics and other taxpayer-funded services. Authorities say the scams inflated headcounts, fabricated services or both, siphoning off as much as $9 billion.

While GOP lawmakers say fraud must be tackled across the board, the Somali community has drawn particular attention. Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., said investigators have charged 98 defendants so far, 85 of whom are of Somali descent.

Gill argued the numbers speak for themselves.

“Doesn’t sound like something that makes our country stronger to me. And I think most Americans would agree with me on that,” he said.

Gill also questioned whether politics played a role in how the alleged fraud was handled.

“Would you say this is, that the Somali population is an important demographic for Democrats to win over politically?” Gill asked Walter Hudson, a Republican Minnesota state representative.

“Unquestionably,” Hudson replied.

“Got it. Do you think it would have hurt Democrats’ political standing with the Somali population to investigate this fraud? You’re saying that there was a political incentive to cover up widespread Somali fraud. Is that right?”

Hudson again confirmed Gill’s line of questioning.

Democrats on the panel bristled. Ranking member Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., warned against painting an entire community with the same brush.

“When people commit fraud and people get hurt, there’s going to be repercussions, as there should be. We want to hold foreign fraudsters accountable. We want to protect the victims, innocent, innocent people so those that can access services and continue to access services across this country. That’s how it should work,” Garcia said.

Meanwhile, House GOP Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., has urged the Trump administration to deport Somalis convicted in connection with the Minnesota fraud cases.

Gill’s remarks also come as Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, introduced legislation Tuesday that would require refugees from Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and Somalia to self-deport after 180 days.

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