DEMS DITCH FRAUD HEARING AS BILLIONS BLEED OUT

Democrats are getting dragged for a jaw-dropping no-show after Republicans put fraud in the spotlight at a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing. While Sen. Rand Paul presided and witnesses laid out claims of massive abuse in Medicaid and other welfare programs, nearly every Democrat on the panel stayed away; only Sen. Gary Peters showed up, and he was in and out fast after asking a few questions. The hearing covered two explosive topics: independent journalist Nick Shirley’s allegations of blatant Medicaid fraud in New York adult day cares, and undercover-video investigator James O’Keefe’s testimony about recordings tied to voter bribery on LA’s Skid Row. That left Democrats looking like they had every reason to fight — and none of the stomach to show up — even as they rail against anti-fraud efforts as “savage cuts” and block the SAVE Act on the Senate floor.