“Are You Even the Governor of Minnesota?” [WATCH]

Rep. Nancy Mace questioned Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz during a congressional hearing about a significant increase in state spending on autism programs, pressing the governor for details about the growth in funding over several years.

The exchange centered on the amount Minnesota spent on autism-related services in 2017 compared with 2024 and whether Walz was familiar with the figures during the hearing.

Mace began by asking the governor about the state’s spending in 2017.

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“How much money was spent on autism in Minnesota in 2017, Governor?” Mace asked.

Walz responded that he did not have the figure available.

“I don’t have those numbers in front of me, Congresswoman,” Walz said.

Mace followed up by asking about Walz’s preparation ahead of the hearing.

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“Did you prepare for this hearing today? Did you do any preparation for this hearing today?” Mace asked.

Walz responded, “I take Congress seriously.”

Mace then returned to the topic of autism spending and referenced concerns about fraud connected to such programs in Minnesota.

“And you’ve seen the numbers about autism fraud in Minnesota. So we’re going to do some Minnesota math with you today. Okay, are you ready? How much money was spent on 2017 for autism in Minnesota. How much?” Mace asked.

Walz again said he did not know the number.

“I don’t know. I wasn’t the governor,” Walz said.

Mace responded by pointing out that the information was publicly available.

“Okay. did you not just say that you prepared for this hearing today? $1 million okay? A quick Google search, or using your AI, could tell you $1 million was spent,” Mace said.

She then asked about the amount spent in 2024.

“How much money was spent on autism in Minnesota in 2024?” Mace asked.

Walz again said he did not have the figure available.

“I don’t have a number in front of me,” Walz said.

Mace asked whether Walz had been governor during that year.

“Were you governor in 2024?” Mace asked.

“I was, but I’m not the head of the…” Walz responded before being interrupted.

Mace continued by comparing the two figures.

“Okay, so your excuse before that you didn’t know what 2017 autism numbers were, because you were not governor, and today you can’t answer the numbers about 2024 as governor, and you still said you prepared for this hearing today. It’s unbelievable. $343 million was spent in 2024 what percent increase is that from 1 million to 343 million? What percentage increases is that?” Mace asked.

Walz declined to calculate the figure during the exchange.

“I’m not here to be your prop? Go ahead and tell me,” Walz said.

Mace responded by questioning his role as governor.

“Are you governor of Minnesota or not?” Mace asked.

“Yes, I am. I’m not a prop for a member of Congress,” Walz replied.

Mace then calculated the change herself.

“Okay, well, when I’m governor of South Carolina. You can sure as hell bet that I’m going to know the math. The math is 34,200% increase, an increase of 343 times what it was in this time period,” Mace said.

The questioning then shifted to population figures for Minnesota.

“Do you know the number of children in Minnesota?” Mace asked.

Walz responded by referencing the state’s ranking in child well-being.

“I know that Minnesota ranked as a top three state for children in the last year,” Walz said.

Mace followed up by asking about the state’s total population.

“What is the total population in Minnesota?” she asked.

“5.7 million,” Walz replied.

Mace then asked how many children live in the state.

“Okay? What is the total population of children in Minnesota?” Mace asked.

Walz again said he did not have the figure.

“I don’t have the number in front of me right now,” Walz said.

Mace pressed the point again.

“Are you governor of Minnesota?” Mace asked.

Walz responded by referencing health care coverage changes.

“I know 400,000 were cut out of health care last week by the decisions you made,” Walz said.

Mace again asked about his position.

“Ae you governor of Minnesota?” Mace asked.

“I am,” Walz said.

Mace concluded the exchange by returning to her earlier question about the state’s child population.

“And you don’t know the number of children residing in Minnesota?” Mace asked.

“I don’t have the specific numbers,” Walz replied.

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