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EXCERPT:
“When we talk about fraud, we are talking about money that is being stolen from hard-working, law-abiding, taxpaying citizens.”
Every Democratic seat sat empty during a Senate hearing on taxpayer fraud on Wednesday as independent journalist Nick Shirley and activist James O’Keefe testified before lawmakers, prompting sharp criticism from Republicans over the absence.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), who chaired the hearing, pointed to the vacant seats, saying Democrats had been invited but did not attend.
“You’ve got some testimony from the person I kind of call as a fraud-busting hero, Nick Shirley is there, and you’ve got political activist James O’Keefe there, and a lot of Republicans in the room, and I think we have a shot of the empty seats… empty seats where Democrats would be sitting,” Paul said.